fj^^^l 


/ 


5:^  o:  o^  i:^ '^^  ^i^^' ^^2^ 

(IK    TIIK 
AT 

PRINCETON,   N.  J- 

XJ  t»  TV  -^  T  I  «»  >r      «*  »* 

SAMUEL    AGNEW, 

OF     PHILADELPHIA,     PA. 

=  BV  4501  .A9  1841 

Austin,  John  Mather,  1805- 

1880. 
A  voice  to  youth 


VOICE    TO    YOUTH, 


ADDRESSED    TO 


YOUNG  MEN  AND  YOUNG  LADIES. 


BY  REV.  J.  M.  AUSTIN. 


SIXTH       EDITION. 


UTICA: 
ORREN    HUTCHINSON 
1841. 


Entered,  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1838, 
by  Grosh  &  Hutchinson,  in  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the 
District  Court  of  tlie  United  States,  for  the  Northern  DisUict 
of  New- York. 


GR03H   &  WALKER,   PRINTERS. 


CONTENTS. 


A  VOICE  TO  YOUTH. 

Introduction.  I 

Chapter  I. — The  necessity  of  reflection.  10 

Chapter  II. — Claims  on  youth.  17 

Chapter  III. — Formation  of  character,  27 

Chapter  IV. — The  good  opinion  of  others.  34 

Chapter  V. — On  reading.  40 

Chapter  VI. — Practical  observation.  54 

Chapter  VII. — Independence  of  mind.  61 

Chapter  VIII.— Politeness.  70 

Chapter  IX. — Letter  Writing.  82 

Chapter  X. — Religious  opinions.  88 

Chapter  XL — Treatment  of  religious  error.  107 

A  VOICE  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 

Chapter  I. — Introduction — Selection  of  associates.  117 

Chapter  II. — Temptations.  125 

Chapter  III.— The  habits.  136 

Chapter  IV.— Conversation.  161 

Chapter  V. — Amusements.  173 

Chapter  VI.— Dress.  181 

Chapter  VII. — General  demeanor.  188 

Chapter  VIII. — Cultivating  the  mind.  201 

Chapter  IX.— Establishing  fixed  principles.  214 

Chapter  X.— Stability  of  purpose.  222 

Chapter  XL— Politics.  230 

Chapter  XII.— Marriage.  236 


A  VOICE  TO  YOUNG  LADIES. 

Chapter  I. — Introduction.  253 

Chapter  II. — Female  influence.  2C1 

Chapter  III. — Early  associates.  277 

Chapter  IV. — Forming  the  manners.  284 

Chapter  V.— The  habits.  298 

Chapter  VI. — Domestic  duties.  310 

Chapter  VII.— Dress.  321 

Chapter  VIII.— Recreations.  332 

Chapter  IX. — Mental  cultivation,  341 

Chapter  X. — The  disposition.  350 

Chapter  Xr. — Conversation.  358 

Chapter  XII. — Self-government  369 

Chapter  XIIL— Marriage.  ,  379 

APPENDIX. 


Amusements  of  youth.  393 

Duties  of  youth.  408 


PUBLISHER'S  PREFACE. 

Though  works  intended  for  the  direction  and  guidance 
of  young  gentlemen  and  ladies,  are  already  very  numerous, 
and  many  of  them  highly  worthy  of  public  patronage,  yet 
the  most  of  them  seemed  objectionable  to  us,  because  of 
their  religious  instruction.  Errors  on  so  important  a  subject, 
especially  when  addressed  to  the  young,  cannot  be  too  care- 
fully guarded  against,  and  it  appeared  to  us,  th.-\t  by  the  man- 
ner of  presentation,  as  well  as  by  the  cheerles  ■.  and  terrific 
views  presented,  too  many  of  these  works  were  calculated 
to  render  religion  a  gloomy,  forbidden  and  repulsive  object 
to  the  youthful  mind.  Others,  more  intent  on  rendering 
their  works  acceptable  to  the  youthful  taste  as  it  is,  than  of 
directing  that  taste  to  what  it  should  be,  have  altogether 
avoided  that  important  subject;  the  only  immutable  standard 
of  morality  and  propriety ;  and  based  their  instructions  on 
the  fashion  of  this  world,  which  passeth  away  in  continual 
changes. 

With  these  feelings  and  views,  and  anxious  to  supply  the 
denominatioFx  to  which  we  belong,  in  particular,  with  a  work 
to  which  they  could  not  object,  at  least  on  religious  grounds, 
we  induced  Mr.  Austin  to  undertake  this  work.  It  was 
published,  in  a  series  of  articles,  in  the  Evangelical  Maga- 
zine and  Gospel  Advocate,  in  the  years  1837  and  1838,  and 
met,  we  believe,  with  very  general  approbation  from  proba- 
bly 35,000  or  40,000  readers.  The  classes  particularly  ad- 
dressed, have  been  much  interested,  so  far  as  we  can  learn, 
in  its  perusal,  and  many  have  expressed  much  gratification 
on  learning  that  It  was  to  appear,  also,  in  a  moie  permanent 
and  convenient  form.  Believing  that  as  a  book  it  will  be 
read  again,  with  more  pleasure,  and  as  much  benefit  as  at 
first ;  and  that  many,  who  had  not  the  pleasure  of  perusing 


it  OS  it  appeared  week  by  week  in  the  Magazino  and  Advo- 
cate, will  be  benefited  and  pleased  by  its  perusal  in  this 
form,  it  is  now  published  in  a  neat  volume,  and  offered  lor 
public  patronage.  All  who  wish  for  a  gift  which  they  can 
present  to  a  youthful  friend,  without  a  fear  of  offending  the 
purest  literary  taste,  the  chastest  delicacy,  or  the  most  fer- 
vent piety,  will  find  it  in  this  work.  That  it  may  be  greatly 
blessed  of  our  heavenly  Father  in  inspiring  a  spirit  of 
cheerful  devotion,  a  correct  taste,  and  a  pure  und  affection- 
ate morality  among  the  rising  generation,  our  country's  hope 
and  pride,  is  the  fervent  prayer  of 

Utica,  June  1,  1838.  THE  PUBLISHERS. 


PREFACE  TO  THE   SECOND  EDITION. 

The  first  edition  of  1500  copies  having  been  dispo- 
sed of  in  a  few  months,  and  the  work  having  been  warmly 
commended  by  the  literary  and  religious  journals  of  the  day, 
we  have  procured  the  author's  amendments  aad  corrections, 
and  added  an  Appendix,  which  ^vp.  trust  will  not  be  found 
inconsistent  witb,  nr  unworthy  nf  the  work  itsflf.  Thus  im- 
proved and  enlarged,  we  send  forth  this  second  edition  with 
our  continued  prayer,  that,  like  its  predecessors,  it  may  be 
eminently  blessed  of  God  in  advancing  human  improvement* 
by  leading  the  Youth  of  our  happy  land  to  virtue,  usefulness 
and  lasting  felicity. 

Vtica,  May  1, 1839.  THE  PUBLISHERS. 


A    VOICE    TO    YOUTH 


INTRODUCTION. 

i  ■  ' 

Early  youth  is  justly  considered  the  most  ia 
teresting  and  important,  yet  dangerous  period  ol 
human  existence.  It  is  interesting,  because  of  the 
innocence,  the  hilarity,  and  the  zest  for  enjoy- 
ment, which  is  then  evinced.  The  mind,  like  the 
morning  flower,  at  this  period  begins  more  fully 
to  open  its  leaves  to  be  impressed  with  the  enli- 
vening rays  of  the  sun  of  knowledge,  and  evinces 
by  the  gradual  developement  of  its  powers,  that 
its  possessor  belongs  to  a  grade  of  beings  vastly 
more  elevated  than  the  brute  creation.  Youth  is 
the  most  important  time  of  life,  masmuch  as  the 
habits  then  begin  to  lay  their  foundations — the 
character  commences  its  formation,  and  the  occu- 
pation is  to  be  chosen — upon  which  depend  main- 
ly, the  enjoyments  and  prosperity  of  after  life. 
And  it  is  the  most  dangerous  period,  because, 
ardent,  volatile,  inexperienced,  and  thirsting  for 
happiness,  the  young  are  exceedingly  liable  to  be 
seduced  into  wrong  paths — into  those  fascinating, 
but  fatal  ways,  which  lead  to  degradation  and 
wretchedness.  It  is  at  this  season,  that  the  sports 
and  amusements  of  childhood,  lose  their  charm, 
and  their  influence.  Childish  things  are  put  away 
1 


2  rNTFODUCriON. 

and  there  commences  a  desire  for,  and  a  looking 
after  more  mature,  yet  more  dangerous  sources  ot 
enjoyment. 

As  the  gallant  bark  leaves  the  secure  haven  to 
go  out  upon  the  bosom  of  the  mighty  deep,  with 
its  snow  white  sails  spread  to  the  inviting  wind, 
its  broad  flag  and  gay  streamers  floating  in  air — 
bounding  o'er  the  billows  ''as  a  thing  of  life,"  and 
wholly  unconscious  that  Ocean,  in  its  far  regions, 
is  nursing  the  whirlwind  and  the  storm — so  youth 
launches  upon  the  vast  sea  of  life,  decked  with 
all  those  gay  and  bright  fancies  wMch  the  imagi- 
nation vividly  paints  in  the  morning  of  exist- 
ence ;  spreads  the  wide  expanded  sails  of  hope, 
and  fain  would  believe  that  an  ever-favoring  breeze 
will  speedily  waft  to  prosperity  and  peace.  But 
the  young  should  be  aware  that,  as  the  wide  \Vaste 
of  waters  is  ploughed  into  the  mountain  wave  by 
the  fury  of  the  wind,  so  the  sea  of  life  is  often 
swept  by  howling  tempests  of  disappointment  and 
misfortune ;  and  that  upon  the  one,  as  upon  the 
other,  unless  they  are  guided  by  the  pilots,  wis* 
dom  and  discretion,  shipwrecked  hopes  and  blast- 
ed anticipations  must  ensue.  .^ 

Young  ladies  and  young  gentlemen — I  crave 
your  attention  for  a  short  season,  from  time  tc 
time,  as  I  proceed  in  a  series  of  Essays,  on  a 
variety  of  subjects  intimately  connected  with  your 
welfare  and  happiness.  Will  you  lend  me  a  lis- 
tening ear?  Will  you  occasionally  devote  an 
hour,  to  hear  what  I  have  to  offer  upon  topicsr 


I^TRODucTro^^  3 

which  you  will  acknowledge  are  of  the  utmost 
importance  to  your  peace  and  prosperity?  Come, 
sit  down  with  me,  and  in  a  friendly  manner,  we 
v/ill  converse  upon  those  things  which  pertain  to 
your  future  success  in  life.     I  am  aware  that,  upon 
the  ears  of  some  youth,  the  word  advice  grates 
harshly.     But  I  attribute  this  dislike  more  to  the 
improper  manner  in  wiiich  they  have  been  in- 
structed, than  to  any  natural  bias.     Parents  and 
instructors  often   seem  to  imagine  there  is   no 
method  to  advise  the  young,  but  in  the  harsh 
tones  of  reproof  and  upbraiding.     And  the  effect 
of  such  a  course,  is  to  harden  those  v/hom  they 
would  benefit,  and  cause  them  to  dislike  every 
thing  which  comes  in  the  form  of  counsel.     Ad- 
vice, to  be  effectual,  must  be  clothed  in  words  of 
affection  and  kindness,  and  accompanied  with  a 
tender  regard  for  the  feelings  of  those  to  Avhom  it 
is  tendered;  and  it  should  be  given  in  such  man- 
ner as  not  to  imply  the  degradation  of  those  who 
are  its  objects.     Communicated  in  this  manner, 
I  think  it  cannot  truly  be  said,  that,  as  a  general 
rule,  youth  are  averse  to  counsel.     Nevertheless, 
it  is  well  known  that  one  of  the  common  failings 
of  the  young,  is  to  be  wise  in  their  own  conceit — 
to  imagine  they  can  get  along  quite  well  of  them- 
selves, and  that  they  can  discover  coming  evils 
and  avoid  them,  as  readily  as  their  elders  in  life. 
This  wisdom,  however,  is  of  a  premature  growth, 
and  generally  passes  away  as  age  advances ;  but 
often,  not  until  it  has  inrolred  its  possessor  in 


4  INTRODUCTION. 

troubles  and  misfortunes  which  sometimes  extend 
through  life.  Hence  have  arisen  those  common 
sayings,  that  youth  is  wiser  at  Jifteen  than  at 
thirty — i.  e.  in  its  own  estimation — and  that  the 
first  indication  of  true  wisdom  in  the  young,  is, 
their  ascertaining  and  acknowledging  how  little 
they  do,  in  reality,  know.  i 

Listen  !  You  desire  to  be  happy — you  thirst 
for  enjoyment.  This  is  natural,  and  it  is  proper. 
God  has  designedly  implanted  this  desire  within 
you,  and  he  is  perfectly  willing  that  you  should 
gratify  it  in  the  proper  manner  !  But,  remember 
that  in  this,  as  in  every  thing  else,  there  is  aright 
way  and  a  wrong  way  to  accomplish  your  object. 
If  you  adopt  the  right  way,  the  desired  good  is 
speedily  obtained  and  enjoyed.  But  if,  unhap- 
pily, you  select  the  wrong  way,  so  far  from  secu- 
ring the  wished  for  happiness,  you  will  reap  nought 
but  misfortune,  degradation  and  wretchedness. 
And  in  pursuing  this  wrong  course,  however  you 
may  imagine,  for  a  season,  under  the  fascinations 
which  evil  often  assumes,  that  you  have  found  the 
real  enjoyment  desired,  you  will  ere  long  discov- 
er— and  often  too  late — that  you  have  embraced 
a  gilded  shadow,  filled  with  human  wo,  while  the 
actual  good  is  far  from  you.  You  can  but  per- 
ceive, therefore,  the  critical  condition  in  which 
you  stand,  and  the  importance  and  necessity  of 
obtaining  counsel  in  regard  to  your  future  con- 
duct. 

Were  you  ab:>ut  to  travel  into  a  far  land,  a 


INTRODUCTION,  O 

stranger  to  the  way^  and  though  conscious  that 
your  course  would  be  surrounded  by  innumerable 
dangers,  yet  ignorant  of  their  nature  and  of  the 
best  means  to  avoid  them,  how  anxious  would 
you  be  to  obtain  information  and  advice!  Pru- 
dence, and  the  desire  of  self-preservation,  would 
dictate  the  propriety  of  seeking  some  individual 
who  had  travelled  the  road,  or  the  most  danger- 
ous portions  of  it,  and  of  obtaining  his  instruc- 
tion in  relation  to  the  nature  and  situation  of  those 
dangers,  and  his  advice  regarding  measures  to  es- 
cape them.  And  what  is  life,  but  a  jom-ney  to  a 
distant  clime,  upon  an  untried  highway?  This 
important  journey  the  young  are  just  commen- 
cing. Undoubtedly,  in  the  exuberance  of  youth- 
ful fancy,  all  appears  fair  and  bright  before  you. 
Vivid  imagination  strews  your  pathway  with  the 
gayest  and  sv/eetest  flowers  of  existence.  How 
bright  and  beautiful  is  the  future  pictured  to  the 
young  mind !  No  clouds  or  darkness  intervene 
to  throw  a  shade  of  sadness  on  the  fair  prospect 
of  youth's  morning. 

lay  are  the  flowers  withont  a  fhom, 
id  bright  the  hues  of  opening  day; 
Wild  music  lingers  in  its  bowers — 
Jrateful  the  fragi-ance  of  its  flowers — 

And  all  betokens  bhss. 
ipe  weaves  her  wild  enclianting  song, 
d  sings  at  every  path  along, 

That  all  shall  be  like  this." 

But  notwithstanding  the  captivating  visions  of  the 
imagination,  and  the  sweet  whisperings  of  hope, 
you  well  know  that  your  way  will  be  beset  by 
many,  many  dangers.  Appearances  are  often  very 
1* 


0  L\7RGDUCriON. 

deceitful.  '•  Poisonous  beriles  Irequently  look 
tempting  to  tlie  appetite — ice,  wlicn  it  sometimes 
seems  sound,  if  ventured  upon,  will  break,  and 
let  him  wiiQ  is  daring  into  the  waters — and  the 
wise  man  says,  that  'wine,  when  it  givcth  its 
rolor  in  the  cup,  at  the  last  biteth  like  a  serpent, 
and  slingeth  like  an  adder.'"  The  rose  grows  in 
close  proximity  to  the  thorn,  and  beneath  the  fair- 
est flowers,  sometimes  nestle  the  poisonous  rep- 
tile and  the  envenomed  scorpion.  Permit  not, 
then,  the  beauty  in  wliich  your  fancy  paints  the 
future,  to  lull  you  into  false  security  in  respect  to 
the  dangers  which  that  future  conceals,  or  to  the 
necessity  of  guarding  yourselves  against  them. 
It  rather  becomes  your  safety  and  interest,  as  well 
as  duty,  to  seek  diligently  for  all  the  instruction 
and  knowledge  which  can  throw  light  upon  your 
way,  in  the  intricate  and  uneven  windings  of 
earthly  existence. 

Are  additional  inducements  necessary,  to  cause 
you  to  listen  to  counsel  and  admonition?  Look 
abroad  into  the  world.  Here  is  an  individual  who 
enjoys  the  respect  and  confidence  of  community. 
The  aged  A'^enerate  him,  and  "  the  young  rise  up 
and  call  him  blessed."  He  has  no  enemies — all 
are  his  friends — all  speak  well  of  him,  all  confide 
in  him.  How  has  he  obtained  this  universal 
esleem  ? — how  has  he  ascended  this  eminence  of 
respect?  You  anticipate  the  reply.  In  seeking 
for  -  liappiness,  he  consulted  the  experience  of 
ihyse  who  had  travelled  before  liim— he  studied 


INTRODUCTION.  7 

the  history  of  his  race,  and  marked  where  others 
had  failed,  that  he  might  avoid  their  errors — he 
listened  patiently  to  words  of  advice,  and  in  this 
way,  found  the  true  path  and  faithfully  pursued 
it,  and  is  now  enjoying  the  prosperity  and  peace 
to  which  it  conducts.  But  another  picture  pre- 
sents itself  for  our  contemplation.  There  is  a 
man  whose  condition  is  directly  the  reverse.  He 
is  shunned  and  despised  by  all  around  him.  Not 
because  he  is  poor ;  but  because  his  poverty  has 
been  caused  by  profligacy  and  vice.  The  gooa 
avoid  him  as  a  moving  pestilence — the  virtuous 
point  to  him  as  a  warning  to  their  children  of  the 
sad  effects  of  iniquity — and  even  his  vicious  com- 
panions are  ashamed  of  him.  Follow  him  in  his 
miserable  career.  He  mingles  Avith  the  refuse, 
the  outcasts  of  society;  for  they  alone  will  be- 
come his  associates — he  becomes  familiar  with 
the  alms-house,  the  penitentiary,  and  finally  ends 
his  days  in  ignominy  upon  the  gallows  !  Is  it  not 
important  to  inquire  into  the  cause  of  the  dispa- 
rity between  the  condition  of  this  man,  and  of  the 
other,  whom  we  noticed  ?  How  did  he  become 
involved  in  so  much  infamy  and  wretchedness? 
Was  it  his  own  choice  ? — did  he  desire  and  seek 
degradation  and  ruin?  No.  In  the  outset  of  life, 
his  desires  were  as  those  of  the  youth  who  is  now 
perusing  these  lines.  He  wished  to  enjoy  him- 
self through  life,  precisely  as  you  do.  He  in- 
tended to  take  the  best  measures  to  accomplish 
ibis  desire,  as  is  now  undoubtedly  your  determi- 


8  INTnODLXTIO.N. 

nation— and  Ko  no  moie  foresaw  or  expected  that 
he  should  end  his  days  in  infamy,  the  object  of 
scorn  and  disgust,  than  are  such  thoughts  now 
dwelling  in  your  mind.  But,  alas  !  he  selected 
the  nrong path  !  He  deemed  himself  very  wise — 
he  knew  much  better  than  others  in  more  advan^ 
ced  life,  where  and  how  he  could  obtain  true 
enjoyment — he  desired  no  light  or  instruction 
upon  this  subject — he  turned  an  ear  deaf  as  the 
adder's,  to  all  the  counsel,  the  advice  and  admo- 
nition of  parents,  relatives,  friends— and  with 
headstrong  and  willing  blindness,  strided  on  in 
that  way  which  eventually  involved  him  in  iho 
vortex  of  disgrace  and  ruin  !  Do  you  desire  your 
condition  to  become  like  his?  No — no — say  one 
and  all !  And  yet  it  amounts  almost  to  a  certain- 
ty, that  such,  or  similar,  will  be  your  condition, 
if  you  imitate  his  example  in  the  commencement 
of  life.  But  that  example,  I  trust,  you  have  no 
desire  to  follow  ;  but  rather  are  more  wisely  in- 
clined to  obtain  all  the  information  in  your  pow- 
er, on  those  subjects  connected  intimately  with 
your  welfare  and  happiness. 

Hearken,  then,  to  one  who,  though  compara- 
tively not  far  advanced  in  years,  yet  may  be  con- 
sidered past  the  most  dangerous  period  of  youth — 
one  who  has  mixed  not  a  little  with  the  world — 
tasted  of  its  sweets  and  its  bitter — been  a  learner 
m  the  school  of  experience,  and  as  usual,  paid 
dearly  for  some  of  the  knowledge  which  he  has 
thus  obtained — and  who,  not  having  yet,  by  rea- 


INTRODlCTlo.N. 


son  of  age,  lost  the  vivid  impressions  thus  en- 
stamped  upon  his  mind,  is  enabled  more  readily 
to  appreciate  the  peculiarities  of  your  situation, 
and  to  realize  to  a  good  degree,  the  nature  of  the 
dangers  around  you.  I  would  speak  to  you  as  a 
brother — I  would  warn,  advise,  and  counsel,  as 
one  deeply  interested  in  your  welfare  and  pros- 
perity. I  have  no  wish  to  deprive  you  of  a  single 
enjoyment,  that  is  proper  for  you,  as  intellectual 
and  moral  beings — and  surely,  as  wise  youth,  you 
can  desire  to  participate  in  none  other.  I  shall 
make  no  efforts  to  frighten  you  into  compliance 
with  the  advice  miparted  ;  but  shall  appeal  exclu- 
sively to  your  reason,  your  good  sense,  to  con- 
vince you  of  the  propriety  of  doing  that  which 
will  enhance  your  respectability  and  true  happi- 
ness, and  of  avoiding  those  things  which  will  in- 
volve you  in  disgrace  and  wretchedness — that  if 
possible,  I  may  benefit  those  whom  I  address. 

In  carrying  my  design  into  execution,  I  shall 
first  address  both  sexes  indiscriminately,  upon 
those  subjects  in  which  it  may  be  supposed  they 
are  mutually  interested.  In  the  next  place,  my 
remarks  will  be  confined  exclusively  to  those 
topics  which  pertain  to  young  men.  And  lastly, 
the  young  ladies  will  be  addressed.  I 


CHAPTER   I. 

THE  NECE9.-»ITY  OF  REFLECTION. 

By  reflection,  I  would  signify,  the  habit  of 
often  and  seriously  meditating  upon  the  various 
topics  connected  with  your  prosperity  and  enjoy- 
ments. On  arriving  at  years  of  understanding, 
you  perceive  that  the  race  to  which  you  helong, 
exists  in  company  with  countless  grades  of  other 
creatures.  And  you  also  discover  that  man  is  ele- 
vated far  above,  and  is,  indeed,  ruler  over  all  oth- 
er forms  of  earthly  existence.  The  cause  of  this 
exaltation,  it  can  not  fail  to  be  perceived,  arises 
from  the  superior  faculties  with  which  you  are 
endowed — the  intellectual  and  moral  capacities 
which  compose  the  mind.  These  mental  powers 
make  man  all  that  he  is — the  sage,  the  philoso- 
pher, the  mathematician,  the  astronomer — capa- 
ble of  penetrating  deep  into  the  operations  of  Na- 
ture's laws — capable  of  converting  the  elements 
to  his  purposes,  and  of  ascending  high  the  infinite 
scale  of  attainable  knowledge.  Take  from  the 
human  race  the^se  power?,  and  the  bright  chain 

10 


THE    NfJCESrilTY    OF    Ktfl.ECTION.  11 

which  links  them  to  a  higher  world,  to  a  more 
lofty  grade  of  beings,  is  severed,  and  they  sink  to 
the  level  of  the  brutes — diflfering  from  them  only 
in  form  and  feature.  For  what  purpose  are  these 
ennobling  faculties  bestowed  upon  you  ? — to  re- 
main idle  and  dormant  ?  Surely  not.  Nature 
never  imparts  any  power  but  for  use.  To  animals 
is  granted  instinct  for  their  guidance  and  control  j 
and  the  dictates  of  this  instinct,  which  is  ever  in 
active  operation,  they  invariably  follow  while  life 
endures.  But  to  man  has  been  given  the  higher 
power  of  reason,  for  a  similar  purpose — to  direct 
and  govern  him  in  his  intercourse  with  his  fellow- 
beings.  These  mental  faculties  in  man,  should 
no  more  be  idle,  than  is  instinct  in  brutes.  And 
a  neglect  in  the  one  case,  would  be  as  deleteri- 
ous to  the  enjoyments  of  its  possessor,  as  in  the 
other. 

The  habit  of  exercising  the  mind  in  reflection 
upon  the  future,  as  well  as  the  past  and  present, 
is  one  of  the  most  valuable  that  can  be  established. 
And  yet  it  is  one,  in  regard  to  which,  the  young 
are  extremely  liable  to  fail.  The  present — the 
present — with  its  amusements  and  its  gayeties, 
absorbs  the  greater  proportion  of  their  thoughts 
And  when  they  occasionally  glance  at  the  future, 
it  is  too  often,  but  to  dress  it  in  the  bright  attire 
of  the  imagination — in  the  blooming  garlands  of 
life's  sweetest  pleasures.  I  would  not  unneces- 
sarily overshadow  present  enjoyments,  by  the 
gloomy  clouds  of  future  anticipated  evils.     But 


12  THE    NEOLStfllY     c.F    ann.ECTlOK. 

the  young  should  bear  in  ujind  the  truth  of  the 
stanzas — 

"  The  beam  of  ihe  inorninp.  the  bud  of  the  Spring, 

The  promise  of  beauty  hikJ  brit;htness  may  bring ; 

liut  clouds  gather  darkness,  and,  touched  by  the  frost,  / 

The  pride  ol^  tiie  i)l.intanil  tlir  inoniiii';  are  lost.  I 

Thus  tlie  bright  and  the  beautiful  ever  decay,  j 

Life's  morn  and  life's  llowers— O,  they  (luick  pass  away  !"  | 

It  is  important  that  youth  should  remember  these 
things,  because  they  are  true ;  and  because  a 
knowledge  of  them  may  inspire  the  mind  with  a 
sense  of  the  importance  of  frequently  casting 
your  thoughts  into  the  future,  to  select  your  course 
of  life,  rather  than  to  rush  blindfolded  along. 
When  the  ship  approaches  a  dangerous  coast,  a 
'■  look  out"  is  stationed,  to  warn  of  the  approach 
to  reef  or  breaker.  So  the  young,  in  navigating 
the  dangerous  voyage  of  life,  should  establish 
reflection  as  the  "  look  out,"  to  give  timely  notice 
of  those  fatal  shoals  of  imprudence  and  vice, 
upon  which  so  many,  originally  possessing  the 
brightest  prospects,  have  been  wrecked. 

There  are  many  advantages  accruing  from  a 
well  established  habit  of  reflection.  It  will  ena- 
ble you  to  form  those  just  conceptions  of  your 
nature  and  constitution,  and  of  the  laws  by  which 
they  are  governed,  that  wdll  make  you  wise  in  re- 
gard to  the  true  sources  of  your  happiness.  It 
will  show  the  vast  distinction  between  those  en- 
joyments that  are  proper  to  you,  as  intellectual 
beings,  and  those  belonging  more  expressly  to 
your  animal  nature.  Reflection  will  convince  you 
that  y-pur  higher  faculties  are  bestowed  upon  you 


THE    NLCESStTY    OF    REFLECTION.  13 

to  become  sources  of  more  pure,  elevated  and 
lasting  enjoyments,  than  can  possibly  be  experi- 
enced from  the  passions.  It  will  teach  you  that 
the  individuals  who  forget  or  overlook  these  evi- 
dent truths,  and  who  depend  for  all  their  happi- 
ness, upon  the  indulgence  of  evil  propensities,  not 
only  disgrace  themselves,  and  the  race  to  which 
they  belong,  but  are  deprived  of  all  the  advanta- 
ges of  the  higher  powers  bestowed  upon  them, 
and  might  as  well  have  been  created  the  brute,  as 
for  any  important  benefit  which  they  obtain  from 
these  valuable  sources.  It  will  convince  you  that 
those  in  this  condition,  are  in  a  bondage,  deep, 
disgraceful  and  miserable — a  bondage  to  be  feared 
more  deeply  than  prisons,  chains  and  fetters.  It 
will  satisfy  you  that  '^  man  was  created  for  pur- 
poses high  and  noble— such  as  angels  engage  in, 
and  in  comparison  with  which,  all  other  objects 
sink  into  insignificance,  and  all  other  enjoyments 
are  contemptible  as  ashes." 

Reflection  is  an  important  safe-guard  in  select- 
ing associates,  forming  habits,  choosing  occupa- 
tions, and,  indeed,  in  all  that  concerns  youth. — 
The  young  man  or  the  young  woman  who  thinks 
deeply,  will  act  wisely.  They  will  be  aware  of 
the  nature  of  the  dangers  which  hover  around 
their  path,  and  therefore,  will  act  cautiously  and 
safely.  They  will  be  enabled  to  penetrate  those 
specious  appearances  in  which  vice  so  frequently 
presents  itself— they  will  look  beneath  the  gaudy 
veil  which  so  often  covers  the  deformities  of  sin, 
2 


li  THE    NtCESSlTY    OF    KEFLLCTION. 

and  behold  the  native  blackness  of  the  monster. 
They  will  be  aware  tliat  "all  is  not  gold  that  glit- 
ters/' and  will  readily  detect  the  gilded  imitation 
when  it  would  occupy  the  place  of  the  pure  metal. 
They  will  weigh  well  the  influences  and  the  ef- 
fects of  every  important  step,  and  not  be  led  as- 
tray by  the  deceitful  devices  of  the  transgressor. 
How  few,  who  are  now  advanced  in  years,  would 
not  act  materially  different  were  they  to  pass  over 
the  track  of  life  again  !  Experience  has  taught 
them  wisdom.  In  looking  back  upon  their  his- 
tory, they  can  clearly  perceive  where  they  have 
been  mistaken,  where  they  have  failed,  where  they 
have  acted  foolishly.  And  could  they  again  pass 
through  life,  this  dearly  bought  wisdom  would 
enable  them  to  amend  where  they  before  had  gone 
counter  to  their  true  Avelfare.  How  many,  when 
it  is  too  late,  unavailingly  regret,  that  in  early 
years,  they  had  not  been  more  reflective  and  cau- 
tious. The  young  are  now,  where  the  aged  would 
desire  to  be,  to  do  better  than  they  have  done. 
But  as  this  can  not  be,  they  willingly  impart  their 
wisdom  and  experience  to  youth,  to  enable  them  to 
avoid  those  evils  which  they  experienced.  Those 
who  have  failed,  readily  instruct  you  where  they 
missed  their  way ;  and  all  wise  youth  will  listen 
and  reflect  deeply  on  their  suggestions.  Solo- 
mon says — "  A  wise  man  will  hear,  and  will  in- 
crease learning;  and  a  man  of  understanding 
shall  attain  unto  v/ise  counsels."  There  is  no 
indication  more  promising  in  youth,  than  a  desire 


THE    NF.CESSITY    OF    REFLECTION.  15 

to  hear  counsel  in  regard  to  their  future  conduct. 
And  when  such  listen  to  words  of  instiuctioD, 
they  will  treasure  them  up  as  food  for  future 
meditation. 

Permit  me  to  impress  upon  the  minds  of  all 
the  youth  who  read  these  lines,  the  importance  of 
seeking  for  wise  counsel,  and  of  bestowing  much 
thought  and  reflection  upon  all  those  subjects 
connected  with  their  prosperity.  Meditate  not 
only  on  those  affairs  which  are  transacting  around 
you,  but  upon  the  prospects  of  the  future  which 
open  to  your  view.  Reflect  upon  the  sources  of 
human  happiness  and  human  wo — ascertain  the 
real  causes  of  peace  and  satisfaction  on  the  one 
hand,  and  of  degradation  and  wretchedness  on  the 
other.  Examine  with  thoughtful  care,  the  his- 
tory of  your  race,  and  the  history  of  those  of 
your  acquaintance  who  are  advanced  in  years. — 
Ascertain  and  remember  what  has  caused  one  in- 
dividual to  be  respected  and  loved,  while  another 
is  shunned  and  despised.  And  where  you  per- 
ceive that  others  have  failed,  do  you  remedy  ;  for 
let  it  always  be  remembered,  that  the  same  causes 
which  led  others  to  infamy  and  ruin,  will  involve 
you  in  the  same  disastrous  circumstances,  if  you 
place  yourselves  within  their  influence.  Medi- 
tate seriously  upon  the  dangers  which  surround 
the  path  of  the  young.  Were  you  pursuing  a 
solitary  road,  around  which  you  had  reason  to 
apprehend  lurked  the  deadly  assassin,  how  cau- 
tiously would  you  proceed — with  what  vigilance 


10  Tin:    NECESSITY    oV    RF.FI.Et  TION, 

and  v/atchfulness  would  you  examine  every  object 
you  approached.  But  remember,  there  are  leg^ions 
of  foes  hovering  around  the  pathway  of  life,  ready 
to  assail  you  at  every  opportunity—they  are  the 
human  vices.  They  will  beset  you  at  every  turn, 
and  fasten  upon  you  with  all  their  accompanying 
woes,  unless  warded  off  by  a  firm  and  determined 
opposition.  But  let  cautious  reflection  be  your 
handmaid,  and  you  will  be  enabled,  in  a  good  de- 
gree, to  withstand  the  temptations  which  surround 
you,  and  to  walk  in  that  wise  path  wherein  lies 
every  pure  earthly  enjoyment. 


CHAPTER    II 


CLAIMS   ON    YOUTH, 


Ihe  young  should  be  fully  aware  that  there  aie 
claims  upon  them,  of  the  most  important  and  en- 
during nature.  And  it  is  highly  necessary,  that 
they  should  become  acquainted  with  the  charac- 
ter of  these  claims,  that  they  may  qualify  them- 
selves to  discharge  them  in  an  efficient  manner. 

1.  Society  has  claims  07i  the  Young: — In  every 
civilized  and  well  regulated  community,  there  are 
certain  important  duties,  of  a  public  and  general 
character,  which  must  be  properly  discharged,  to 
insure  the  safety  and  welfare  of  its  members. — 
Those  who  now  execute  these  trusts  will  soon 
become  old  and  pass  from  the  stage  of  life.  They 
cannot  always  remain,  to  instruct  by  their  wis 
dom,  and  guide  by  their  counsels ;  but  as  time's 
unceasing  wheels  roll  on,  they  recede  from  our 
view,  and  no  more  mingle  with  us.  "  I  look 
forward  a  few  short  years,  and  see  the  aspect  of 
society  entirely  changed.  The  venerable  fathers 
who  have  borne  the  heat  and  burden  of  the  day, 
2*  17 


.8  CLAIMS    ON    YOUTH. 

are  dropping,  »>ne  after  another  into  the  grave, 
and  soon  they  will  be  gone.  Of  those,  too,  who 
are  no\y  the  acting  members  of  society,  some 
have  passed  the  meridian  of  life,  others  are  pass- 
ing if,  and  all  will  soon  be  going  down  its  decline, 
to  mingle  with  the  generations  who  have  disap- 
peared before  them  fropi  this  transient  scene  of 
action.  To  a  mind  seriously  contemplating  this 
fact,  it  is  an  inquiry  of  deep  interest — who  are 
to  rise  up  and  fill  their  places?  To  whom  are  to 
be  committed  the  invaluable  interests  of  society  ? 
who  are  to  sustain  its  responsibilities  and  dis- 
charge its  duties  ?  You  anticipate  the  answer."* 
It  is  upon  the  young  that  these  duties  and  respon- 
sibilities will  devolve.  You  will  soon  be  called 
to  occupy  all  the  various  stations  now  held  by 
those  more  advanced  in  life.  You  will  become 
parents,  and  guardians,  and  directors  in  all  that 
pertains  to  the  welfare  of  society.  Soon  will  it 
depend  upon  you  to  determine,  whether  religion, 
morality  and  virtue  shall  prevail  and  shed  their 
benign  influences  upon  community,  or  whether 
infidelity,  immorality  and  deep  corruption,  shall 
blight  all  that  is  valuable  in  our  midst.  Soon 
will  it  be  your  prerogative  to  declare,  whether 
institutions  of  learning  shall  be  fostered  and 
multiplied,  sending  their  light  into  the  dark 
abodes  of  ignorance  and  raising  man  to  that  ele- 
vation in  knowledge  for  which  his  faculties  so 

♦Hawes'  Lecturee. 


CLAIMS    OX    YOUTH.  19 

eminently  fit  hinij  or  ■whether  the  darkness  and 
ignorance  of  ancient  limes,  with  all  their  follies, 
their  superstitions  and  wretchedness,  shall  re- 
turn and  shut  out  the  beams  of  science  and  art, 
and  plunge  this  happy  land  into  degradation  and 
ruin.  Soon  will  it  be  with  you  to  decide,  whether 
wholesome  restraints,  good  order,  harmony  and 
peace,  shall  prevail  and  continue  to  impart  their 
blessings,  or  whether  all  shall  be  unbridled  profli- 
gacy and  wild  anarchy.  Soon  wili  it  be  in  your 
power  to  perpetuate  and  hand  down  to  succeeding 
generations,  those  wonderful  improvements  in  the 
arts  and  sciences,  and  in  all  that  pertains  to  our 
prosperity,  which  have  so  eminently  characterized 
the  present  age,  and  which  are  sending  their 
blessings  to  earth's  far  ends,  or  whether  the  spirit 
of  improvement  shall  be  arrested  in  its  valuable 
career,  all  anticipations  of  future  exaltation  and 
perfection  be  cut  off,  and  the  mind,  with  its  high 
v^apabilities,  made  to  stagnate  in  stupid  indolence ! 
In  fine,  all  those  interests  which  render  life  a 
blessing,  will  ere  long  come  into  the  keeping  and 
control,  and  be  at  the  disposal  of  those  who  are 
now  young. 

Do  you  not,  then,  perceive  that  society  has 
claims,  deep,  abiding,  important  claims  upon  you? 
And  hoAv  will  you  answer  them?  Surely  I  can 
receive  but  one  reply  to  this  inquiry,  from  all 
youth  of  reflection  and  forethought.  You  un- 
doubtedly discover  the  propriety,  yea,  the  urgent 
necessity  of  preparing  to  discharge  these  claims 


20  CLAIMS    UN    YOUTH. 

with  honor  to  yourselves  and  advantage  lo  your 
t'el  low-be  in  5s.  It  becomes  you,  therefore,  to 
study  diligently  the  character  of  our  government 
and  the  genius  of  our  institutions — to  meditate 
upon  the  peculiar  character  of  the  privileges  and 
blessing  which  we,  as  a  people,  enjoy — to  reflect 
upon  the  nature  of  the  true  interests  of  society, 
and  of  the  most  efficient  modes  of  forwarding 
them.  A«  a  spur  to  these  duties,  you  have  but 
to  reflect  upon  the  immense  sacrifice  of  treasure 
and  of  life,  by  which  our  numerous  advantages 
were  obtained.  The  blood  of  our  fathers  cries 
to  us  from  the  stained  battle-fields  of  old,  to  cher- 
ish "  as  the  apple  of  the  eye,"  those  exalted  privi- 
leges, which  it  was  shed  to  obtain.  To  this  voice 
you  will  not  turn  a  deaf  ear.  Permit  not  selfish- 
ness to  chill  your  energies  in  this  work  of  prepa- 
ration. Let  it  be  remembered  that  you  are  bound 
by  a  thousand  ties,  to  your  fellow-beings — your 
interests  and  enjoyments  are  indissolubly  inter- 
woven with  theirs— and,  therefore,  in  discharging 
public  duties,  and  advancing  public  prosperity, 
you  are  but  securing  your  own  welfare  and  hap- 
piness. "  He  who  does  no  good,  gets  none.  He 
who  cares  not  for  others,  will  soon  find  that  others 
will  not  care  for  him."  He  who  neglects  public 
interests,  has  no  just  right  to  expect  that  the  pub- 
lic will  cherish  his :  and  the  tendency  of  such 
neglect,  is  to  produce  this  result. 

2.  Tke  world  has  claims  iifon  the  youth  of  this 
land. — Here,  under  the  blessings  of  Heaven,  our 


CLAIMS    ON    VOCTH.  21 

fathers  were  enabled  to  establish  a  government 
upon  the  broad  principles  of  civil  and  religious 
freedom.  Here  man  enjoys  all  those  rights  to 
which,  as  an  intellectual,  religious  and  social  be- 
ing he  is  entitled  by  nature  and  immutable  equity. 
>,  Here  we  are  blessed  with  every  privilege  and  with 
every  means  of  comfort  and  happiness  that  can 
be  expected  in  this  imperfect  state  of  existence. 
Here  we  enjoy  liberty  of  speech,  liberty  of  the 
press,  liberty  on  all  matters  connected  with  reli- 
gion, liberty  in  every  respect,  as  far  as  accounta- 
ble beings  can  possess  it, 

But  let  it  be  remembered  that  here  only,  are 
these  privileges  enjoyed.  In  every  other  section 
of  the  globe,  mankind  are  deprived,  to  a  greater 
or  less  extent,  of  these  blessings  of  freedom. — 
Except  in  this  land,  justice,  equality  and  liberty, 
in  their  true  acceptation,  are  unknown  on  earthy 
and  man's  dearest  rights  are  trampled  beneath  the 
iron  hoof  of  tyranny  !  Among  the  greater  pro- 
portion of  mankind,  all  that  elevates  human  na- 
ture, and  causes  it  to  put  forth  its  high  powers 
and  capabilities,  is  wanting.  Now  if  the  nations 
of  the  earth  are  ever  to  become  emancipated,  it 
must  be  accomplished  by  the  spirit  which  goes 
forth  from  this  people — by  the  example  which 
the  inhabitants  of  these  United  States,  set  before 
the  world.  Let  the  flame  of  liberty  which  has 
been  kindled  in  this  land,  continue  to  burn  in  its 
pristine  splendor,  and  in  due  time,  its  pure  and 
holy  light  will  penetrate  and  dispel  the  darkness 


22  CM. AIMS    ON    YULTM. 

of  otlicr  hpmi.splicrcs.  Il  will  flash  from  land  to 
land,  from  bliore  to  shore,  from  the  rivers  even 
unto  the  ends  of  the  earth — until  man,  every- 
where, shall  enjoy  all  those  rights  which  his  Cre- 
ator has  made  him  capable  of  exercising.  But  it 
the  principles  of  freedom  here  established,  become 
neglected — if  the  love  for  its  blessings  be  swal- 
lowed up  by  selfishness,  ignorance  or  cornjption — 
the  sacred  flame  will  be  quenched  in  darkness, 
the  hopes  of  millions  will  expire,  and  earth  again 
become  a  universal  Aceldama  ! 

And  upon  whom  depends  the  preservation  and 
perpetuity  of  our  free  institutions?  Upon  the 
young,  does  this  high  responsibility  rest !  Our 
fathers  obtained  the  invaluable  boon  of  liberty, 
by  their  sufferings  and  perseverance ;  and  it  de- 
volves upon  the  generation  now  coming  upon  the 
stage  of  action,  to  determine  the  question,  wheth- 
er their  toils  and  blood  shall  prove  unavailing,  or 
whether  the  fruits  of  their  labor  shall  descend  to 
posterity.  Upon  the  young  of  the  present  age, 
depends  to  a  great  degree,  the  solution  of  the  im- 
portant problem,  whether  man  is  capable  of  gov- 
erning himself— capable  of  enjoying  liberty, 
without  licentiousness  and  anarchy — or  whether 
he  can  only  be  restrained  by  tyranny  and  oppres- 
sion. This  great  experiment  is  now  in  progress; 
and  the  eyes  of  the  philanthropist  and  the  patriot — 
the  eyes  of  the  enslaved  and  the  oppressed, 
throughout  the  w'orld — are  turned  towards  this 
land,  and  fixed,  mtensely  fixed,  upon  the  young 


CLAIMS    ON    YOUTH.  '>.  23 

especially  I  With  deep  anxiety  do  they  watch 
for  every  indication  which  shall  develope  the 
nature  of  the  principles  which  are  cherished,  and 
which  will,  ere  long,  be  brought  into  a  testing 
activity,  by  the  youth  of  this  Union. 

The  world,  thus,  has  claims — important  claims, 
upon  the  young  of  this  nation — claims  recognized 
by  philanthropy  and  humanity.  The  voice  of  en- 
slaved millions,  comes  up  on  every  breeze,  be- 
seeching the  young,  who  are  soon  to  become  the 
pillars  of  our  republic,  to  cherish  and  to  feed  that 
flame  of  freedom,  whose  light  they  behold  at  a 
far  distance,  until  they  shall  be  enabled  to  bask 
in  its  grateful  beams.  Will  you  not  listen  to  these 
cries  ? — will  you  not  recognize  these  claims,  and 
be  admonished  of  the  importance  of  the  position 
which  you  occupy  ?  "  Never,  since  the  creation, 
were  the  youth  of  any  age  or  country,  so  imperi- 
ously called  upon  to  exert  themselves,  as  those  of 
this  country.  Never,  before,  were  there  so  many 
important  interests  at  stake.  Never  were  such 
immense  results  depending  upon  a  generation  of 
men,  as  upon  that  which  is  now  approaching  the 
stage  of  action.  The  rising  millions  of  this  land, 
are  destined,  according  to  all  human  probability, 
to  form  by  far  the  greatest  nation  that  ever  con- 
stituted an  entire  community  of  freemen,  since 
the  world  began.  To  form  the  character  of  these 
millions,  involves  a  greater  amount  of  responsi- 
bility, individual  and  collective,  than  any  other 
work  to  which  humanitv  has  ever  been  called. 


24 


CLAIMS    C.N    VCLTII. 


Now,  it  IS  for  you,  my  young  friends,  to  deter- 
mine wliether  these  weighty  responsibilities  shall 
be  fulfilled.  It  is  for  you  to  decide,  whether  this 
greatest  of  free  nations,  shall  at  the  seme  time  be 
the  beiit.'^*  How  important  that  the  young  should 
qualify  themselves  for  the  discharge  of  the  high 
esponsibiiities  thus  resting  upon  them !  How 
necessary  that  they  should  study  the  nature  of 
enlightened  liberty,  and  of  the  most  effectual 
means  of  perpetuating  our  valuable  institutions, 
with  all  their  increasing  blessings,  down  to  pos- 
terity If 

3.  Yow  Maker  has  claims  upon  you. — These 
claims  are  paramount  to  all  others.  He  has  given 
you  life,  sensation,  and  all  the  valuable  endow - 


*  Young  ISIan's  Guide. 

tLel  not  the  ladies  imagine  tlie  remarks  under  this 
and  the  preceding  heads,  inapplicable  to  themselves.  I 
deem  them  highly  approjjriate  to  their  consideration. — 
Although  it  would  be  improper  /or  them  to  become  poli- 
ticiaiis,  in  the  general  acceptation  of  that  word — yet  that 
they  can  exert  a  powerful  and  enduring  influence,  either 
for  good  or  evil,  upon  the  institutions  of  our  country,  is 
an  undoubted  truth.  They  can  most  sensibly  affect  the 
characters  of  brothers,  husbands  and  especially  sons. — 
They  can  influence  them  to  public  virtue  and  usefulness, 
to  an  interest  in  the  welfare  of  the  nation  and  the  rights 
of  mankind — or  stupify  them  into  negligence  and  inat- 
tention. In  what  work  more  worthy  and  iinportant,  can  a 
mother  engage,  than  instilling  into  the  mind  of  a  son,  a 
lovo  for  the  public  good,  and  for  the  principles  of  civil  and 
religious  liberty  !  I.et  females,  therefore,  be  interested  in 
these  topics,  as  subjects  with  which  their  happiness  is  in- 
timately blended.  Every  woman  shoidd  become  familiar 
with  the  principles  of  our  system  of  gOA'crnment,  and 
with  those  peculiar  characteristics  which  render  It  prefer 
able  to  all  oilier  forms. 


CLAIMS    ON    YOl'TH.  '4D 

ments  and  capabilities  which  you  possess.  He 
has  greatly  elevated  you  in  the  vast  scale  of 
being,  and  given  you  dominion  over  all  other 
forms  of  earthly  existence.  He  has  bestowed 
upon  you  numerous  advantages  in  political  and 
religious  respects — permitting  you  to  exist  under 
the  sway  of  just  and  equitable  laws,  which  insure 
you  "liberty  and  the  pursuit  of  happiness,''  and  en- 
able you  to  worship  God  as  your  conscience  dic- 
tates. In  the  land  where  your  lot  has  been  cast, 
every  thing  that  can  conduce  to  human  improve- 
ment, elevation  and  happiness,  is  profusely  scat- 
tered round.  These  blessings  have  come  from  the 
goodness  of  your  Creator.  Unsolicited  and  unmer- 
ited on  your  part,  has  he  thus  lavished  the  highest 
of  earthly  favors  upon  you  ;  and  you  are  honestly 
indebted  to  him  for  them.  The  Deity,  therefore, 
has  lasting  claims  upon  you,  to  discharge  this 
debt,  as  far  as  your  capabilities  and  opportunities 
will  allow.  In  return  for  his  gifts,  he  claims  of 
you  a  due  cultivation  and  exercise  of  your  intel- 
lectual and  moral  faculties.  He  bestowed  them 
upon  you,  not  to  lie  dormant,  but  for  activity  and 
improvement:  and  that  activity  and  improve- 
ment he  claims.  He  has  claims  upon  your  grat 
itude,  your  veneration  and  love,  for  his  continued 
kindness  and  his  tender  mercies.  He  has,  also, 
claims  upon  your  obedience.  His  laws  are  insti- 
tuted and  exercised  over  the  children  of  men,  not 
for  their  injury,  but  for  their  benefit — to  lead  them 
into  paths  of  peace  and  happiness ;  and  he  has 
3 


20  CLAIM?    ON    YOUTH. 

ihereTore  every  ju^t  right  to  demand  the  obedi- 
ence of  mankind. — These  claims  of  the  Crea- 
tor, exist  properly  against  you.  They  grow  out 
t)f  the  nature  of  the  benefits  conferred  upon  you. 
And  such  is  the  character  and  undoubted  value 
of  the  favors  granted,  that  he  is  justified  in  urg- 
ing and  enforcing  tiiese  claims,  if  we  do  not  ful- 
fil them  voluntarily.  And  what  renders  these 
claims  still  more  worthy  your  consideration,  and 
portrays  the  goodness  of  God  in  a  light  surpass- 
ingly lovely,  is,  that  in  complying  with  them, 
you  are  only  doing  that  which  Improves  your 
character,  enlarges  your  mind,  and  ministers 
greatly  to  your  true  enjoyments. 

Let  your  minds  become  impressed  with  the 
importance  of  the  claims  which  I  have  thus  brief- 
ly brought  to  your  notice.  Reflect  upon  iheir 
character,  the  grounds  upon  which  they  rest,  and 
the  influence  which  their  fulfilment  will  exercise 
upon  your  own  happiness,  and  the  welfare  of  your 
fellow-beings.  And  let  the  spirit  arise  within 
you,  to  meet  their  demands  with  that  energy  and 
fidelity  which  is  the  best  guaranty  of  success. 


CHAPTER    III. 

^  rORMATION    OF    CHARACTER. 

That  a  good  character  is  among  the  most  val- 
uable earthly  blessings,  is  a  position  which  few 
will  controvert.  To  a  young  man,  it  is  the 
foundation — and  the  only  sure  one — upon  which 
he  can  rationally  base  any  expectation  of  future 
respectability  and  prosperity.  Youth  should  not 
believe  they  can  arise  to  eminence  in  any  call- 
ing or  profession — in  any  situation  or  condition  in 
life — without  possessing  a  good  character.  Who- 
ever cherishes  such  anticipation,  is  most  certainly 
doomed  to  bitter  disappointment.  As  reasonably 
can  they  expect  to  '•  gather  grapes  of  thorns,  or 
figs  of  thistles." 

The  young  man  who  is  studiously  intent  on 
stablishing  a  good  character,  may  be  considered 
rich,  although  destitute  of  property.  He  is  rich 
in  the  esteem  of  community — rich  m  the  confi- 
dence and  trust  reposed  in  him,  by  all  to  whom 
he  is  known — rich  in  possessing  the  good  wishes, 
and  in  receiving  the  kind  offices  of  those  around 

27 


I?3  FORMATION    OF    C  llARACTth. 

him— rich  in  the  assistance  cheerfully  granted  him 
in  the  hour  of  misfortune,  the  most  readily»by 
those  who  best  know  his  worth.  But  wiliiuut  a 
good  cliaracter,  and  Avithout  a  desire  to  obtain  one, 
a  young  man  is  in  reality,  poor,  though  possessing 
the  wealth  of  the  Indies.  He  is  poor  in  every 
consideration  wherein  the  other  is  rich.  Poor  in 
the  respect,  trust  and  confidence  of  others — poor 
in  every  thing  that  can  render  life  happy  or  desi- 
rable, to  an  intellectual  being.  The  consttous- 
ness  which  he  carries  about  with  him,  that  he  is 
despised  by  ihe  virtuous  and  respectable,  is  a 
sting  that  embitters  his  days. 

In  meditating  plans  for  his  future  prosperity, 
the  young  man  should  consider  a  good  character, 
as  the  first  important  acquisition  to  be  secured. 
If  he  makes  a  mistake  here — if  he  views  charac- 
ter as  an  indifferent  consideration — a  matter  of  no 
consequence,  worthy  of  no  thought  or  exertion — 
his  condition  is  extremely  precarious.  He  has 
turned  his  face  toward  the  downward  path  of  dis- 
honor and  wretchedness — he  has  already  taken 
one  long  step  therein — and  unless  he  speedily 
changes  his  course,  and  rectifies  this  primarj 
error,  his  career  will  be  one  of  disappointment 
and  ruin.  Reflect,  for  one  moment.  Suppose  a 
young  man  is  knoAvn  to  be  a  spendthrift — known 
to  be  ignorant,  indolent,  dishonest,  intemperate 
and  vicious — what  are  his  prospects  ?  Who  will 
repose  confidence  in  him,  or  trust  him,  or  en- 
courage him,  or  stand  by  him  in  the  hour  of  mis- 


FOKMATION    OF    CHARACTER.  29 

furtune,  or  aid  him  in  limes  of  irial  ?  On  the 
other  hand,  let  it  be  known  that  a  youth  is  well 
informed,  industrious,  economical,  strictly  tem- 
perate and  moral,  and  the  whole  community  are 
his  friends — all  are  ready  to  employ  him,  and 
^  assist  him  to  rise  to  circumstances  of  corape- 
!  tency. — Between  these  two  conditions,  every 
Avise  young  man  will  rightly  choose  the  latter 
in  preference  to  the  former ;  and  must,  therefore, 
perceive  the  immense  importance  of  a  good  char- 
acter, and  the  great  necessity  of  striving  to  ob- 
tain it. 

Fair  reader,  need  I  speak  of  the  vast  importance 
of  a  good  character  to  the  young  lady  ?  Need  I 
say,  it  is  her  all — that  with  it,  she  is  every  thing, 
and  without  it,  nothing — yea,  worse  than  notk- 
ing  !  These  propositions  are  so  plain,  that,  it 
would  seem,  all  young  ladies  must  be  aware  of 
their  propriety  !  If  not,  one  moment's  reflection 
must  satisfy  them  of  their  truth.  Let  it  be  known 
that  a  young  lady  is  idle  and  uninformed — that 
she  is  fond  of  gossiping  and  "spinning  street 
yarn,"  rather  than  of  laudably  engaging  in  some 
industrious  occupation — that  she  is  better  ac- 
quainted with  tne  heroes  and  heroines  of  silly 
novels,  than  the  rules  of  housewifery  and  domes- 
tic economy — that  her  virtue,  honesty  and  vera- 
city are  suspected — and  who  does  not  perceive 
that,  with  such  a  name,  her  prospects  of  forming 
an  eligible  connexion,  and  of  prospering  in  life, 
.ue  entirely  destroyed  ?  But  one  whose  charac- 
3* 


30  FORMATION    Or"    tHARACTEH. 

ler  is  the  reverse  of  (his— who  is  intelligent,  pru- 
dent, industrious  and  virtuous,  has  every  advan- 
tage of  which  the  other  is  deprived. 

TJie  necessity,  theirTore,  of  a  good  character, 
both  to  young  ladies  and  gentlemen,  must  be  per- 
fectly obvious.  And  how  is  such  a  character  to 
be  obtained  ?  Can  you  inherit  it,  as  you  do  your 
name?  Can  you  purchase  it  with  gold,  or  obtain 
possession  of  il  by  theft  ?  No — no.  A  good  char- 
9i./,rmust  hQ  formed — it  must  be  made — it  must 
Jt  hiiilt  up,  by  your  own  individual  exertions  !  If 
you  are  negligent  or  indifferent  in  regard  to  this 
subject — if  you  leave  the  character  to  form  itself, 
as  chance  may  direcr — "if,  instead  of  exerting 
reflectiCii  for  this  valuable  purpose,  you  deliver 
yourselves  up  at  so  critical  a  time,  to  sloth  and 
pleasure — if  you  refuse  to  listen  to  any  counsellor 
but  humor,  or  attend  to  any  pursuit  except  that 
of  amusement — if  you  allow  yourselves  to  float 
loose  and  careless  on  the  tide  of  life,  ready  to  re 
ceive  any  direction  which  the  current  of  fasir.oi- 
or  of  licentiousness,  may  chance  to  give  you — 
wjiat  can  you  expect  to  follow  from  such  begin- 
nings !  While  so  many  around  you  are  under- 
going the  sad  consequences  of  a  like  mdiscretion, 
for  what  reason  shall  not  those  consequences  ex- 
tend to  you?  Can  you  attain  success  without 
that  preparation,  and  escape  dangers  without  that 
precaution,  which  are  required  of  others  ?  Will 
nrosperity  and  happiness  grow  up  to  you  of  its 
own  accord,  and  solicit  your  acceptance  when  to 


FuRMATION    OF    CHARACTER.  f i. 

•  tie  rest  of  mankind,  it  is  the  fruit  of  long  culti- 
vation^ and  the  acquisition  of  labor  and  care'f 
i-eceive  not  yourselves  with  such  hopes."*  I  re-  • 
peat,  the  character  must  be  made — it  must  be  a 
work— Rud  a  work,  too,  of  meditation  and  fore- 
thought. 

The  characteristics  by  Vv'hich  you  desire  to  be 
distinguished  through  life,  should  be  selected  by 
your  own  well  exercised  judgment,  and  establish- 
ed by  your  industry  and  perseverance.  Ask  your- 
selves -^vhat  character  you  would  like  to  possess 
before  the  world  ? — whether  you  would  be  re- 
spected or  despised,  by  the  good  and  virtuous? — 
and  act  in  accordance  to  your  decision.  And  I 
repeat,  all  the  excellence  of  character  vou  ootain, 
must  ba  the  fiuit  of  your  own  labor — me  resul 
of  your  "own  exertions.  Friends  may  cheer  an 
encourage  you,  but  they  can  not  do  this  work  o 
you.  They  can  not  be  industrious,  or  virtuous, 
or  well  informed,  or  honest,  in  your  place.  These 
characteristics,  if  you  possess  them  at  all,  you 
must  obtain  by  the  diligent  exercise  of  your  own 
faculties  and  advantages. 

To  arrive  at  excellence  of  character,  it  is  well 
to  adopt  models  for  imitation.  Think  of  some 
individuals,  the  excellencies  of  whose  characters 
you  would  be  pleased  to  possess.  And  let  n-^* 
these  standards  be  low  ones.  They  should  be 
high — they  had  far  better  be  too  high,  than  too 

♦  Blair. 


32  voRMATiON  or  cha.ra.cti:k. 

low.  It  is  an  lild  pruverli.  that  although  he  who 
aims  at  the  sun,  will  not  reach  it,  yet  his  arrow 
will  fly  mueli  higher,  tlian  if  aimed  at  an  object 
on  a  level  with  himself.  So  in  the  formation  of 
character.  Let  your  models  be  exalted  ones;  and 
although  you  may  possibly  fail  of  reaching  their 
elevation,  yef,  undoubtedly  you  will  ascend  much 
higher,  than  had  you  selected  some  inferior  pat- 
terns. Let  your  models  be  frequently  before  your 
mind — imitate  the  conduct  and  disposition  which 
characterized  those  you  would  copy  after — mark 
the  course  which  they  took  to  obtain  their  good 
names,  and  do  thou  likewise. 

I  can  not  better  close  this  subject,  than  in  the 
words  of  the  lamented  Wirt.  "  Take  it  for  grant- 
ed that  there  is  no  excellence  without  great  labor. 
No  mere  aspirations  for  eminence,  however  ardent, 
will  do  the  business.  Wishing  and  sighing,  and 
imagining  and  dreaming  of  greatness,  will  never 
make  you  great  or  respectable.  If  you  would  get 
to  the  mountain's  top  on  which  the  temple  of  fame 
stands,  it  will  not  do  to  stand  still,  looking,  and 
admiring,  and  wishing  you  were  there.  You 
must  gird  up  your  loins,  and  go  to  work  with  all 
the  indomitable  energy  of  Hannibal  scaling  the 
Alps.  We  can  not  all  be  Franklins,  it  is  true; 
but  by  imitating  his  mental  habits  and  unwearied 
industry,  we  may  reach  an  eminence  we  should 
never  otherwise  obtain.  Nor  would  he  have  been 
the  Franklin  he  was,  if  he  had  permitted  himself 
1.0  be  discouraged  by  the  reflection  that  we  can 


FORMATION    OF    CHARACTER.  33 

not  all  be  Newtons  !  It  is  our  business  to  make 
the  most  of  our  own  talents  and  opportunities  ; 
and  instead  of  discouraging  ourselves  by  compar- 
isons and  impossibilities,  to  believe  all  things  im- 
aginable, possible ;  as,  indeed,  almost  all  things 
are,  to  a  spirit  bravely  and  firmly  resolved  " 


CHAPTER    IV. 

THE    GOOD    OPINION    OF    OTHERS. 

There  is  no  emotion  more  natural,  and  none 
more  proper,  than  tlie  desire  to  be  thought  well  of, 
ly  others  around  us.  This  wish,  cherished  by 
the  young,  with  proper  restrictions,  and  brought 
consistently  to  bear  on  the  conduct,  will  become 
as  a  kind  of  guard  to  screen  them  from  many  im- 
proprieties and  their  accompanying  evils.  Those 
young  people,  who  are  inspired  with  the  laudable 
desire  so  to  demean  themselves  as  to  obtain  the 
approbation  and  respect  of  community,  may  be 
considered  as  walking  in  a  safer  path,  than  those 
who  have  no  such  inclination.  It  will  cause  them 
to  become  circumspect  and  watchful  in  all  their 
conduct — to  be  careful  what  they  do,  and  wha 
they  say,  and  what  disposition  they  exhibit  in 
their  intercourse  with  the  world;  and  will  induce 
them  to  listen  seriously  to  any  faults  that  may  be 
suggested  as  attached  to  their  conduct.  Wise 
youth  arc  willing  to  have  their  failings  pointed 
ouf.     And  when  a  fault  is  asserted  to  pertain  to 

34 


THE    GOOD   OPINION    OF    OTHERS.  35 

them,  whether  it  is  detected  by  a  friend  or  an  ene- 
my, they  will  search,  and  candidly  ask  them- 
selves whether  it  does  in  reality  exist;  and  if 
they  perceive  that  it  does,  they  will  take  energet- 
ic measures  to  free  themselves  from  its  contami- 
nations. I  have  often  expressed  the  opinion,  that 
if  enemies  are  of  no  other  benefit,  they  are  some- 
times of  great  service  in  detecting  and  exposing 
our  aberrations  from  duty.  Their  watchful  eyes 
are  upon  us — they  are  ever  upon  the  alert  to  bla- 
zon our  short-comings  to  the  world.  And  a  sense 
of  their  scrutiny  will  influence  us  to  assume  a 
cautiousness  in  our  proceedings,  which  can  buf 
be  highly  salutary. 

A  proper  desire  to  be  commended  by  our  fel 
low-beings,  should  be  cherished  by  every  youth 
A  want  of  it  produces  consequences  extremely 
deleterious.  When  young  ladies  or  young  gen- 
tlemen, arrive  at  such  a  state,  as  to  exclaim,  in  re- 
ference to  their  moral  conduct,  "  I  care  not  what 
others  think — Icare  not  for  the  opinions  of  those 
around  me" — it  indicates  a  dangerous  state.  It 
shows  their  feelings  to  be  so  hardened,  that  they 
are  ripe  for  the  works  of  sin  and  degradation — il 
predicts  a  condition  of  moral  callousness,  which; 
unless  removed  speedily,  will  lead  to  pollution  and 
its  unavoidabfe  wretchedness.  ^'I  donH  care^^ 
is  a  bad  expression  for  the  young  of  either  sex 
It  is  not  only  immodest  and  reprehensible  in  itself 
but,  if  indulged  in,  and  followed  in  its  influences^ 
it  will  ere  long,  involve  you  in  those  disastrous 


36  THE    GOOD    OPINION    OP    OTHERS. 

circumstances,  where  you  will  care— and  that  to(^ 
when  it  perhaps  is  too  late  to  avoid  the  painful 
consequences  of  your  blindness. 

In  so  conducting  as  to  gain  the  good  opinion  ol 
others,  you  should  exercise  proper  discrimination 
as  to  whose  commendation  you  would  merit.  You 
should  not  endeavor  to  obtain  in  your  conduct,  the 
applause  of  the  drunkard  ;  because  to  do  so,  you 
must  uphold  and  imitate  his  intemperance — or  ot 
the  gambler,  the  thief,  the  spendthrift,  or  the 
idler — for  they  will  not  approbate  you,  unless 
you  follow  them  in  their  transgressions.  Neither 
should  it  be  your  effort  to  secure  the  approbation 
of  the  proud,  the  vain,  or  the  scornful.  But  the 
good  opinion,  in  all  moral  respects,  of  the  wise, 
virtuous  and  benevolent,  it  should  be  your  ambi- 
tion to  secure.  This,  however,  should  not  be  the 
moving  cause  of  living  a  virtuous  life.  The  main 
influence  to  such  a  life,  should  be  of  a  higher 
character,  even  the  value  of  virtueUsel/,and  the 
beneficial  effects  which  its  faithful  practice  will 
confer  upon  you.  But  in  shaping  your  conduct, 
let  it  be  characterized  by  those  principles,  that 
will  be  approved  by  thv  discreet,  the  upright  and 
experienced  of  society. 

i  Let  not  this  subject  be  misunderstood.  It  is 
one  thing,  so  to  conduct  as  to  acquire  the  respect 
of  the  public — but  another  and  quite  different 
thing,  to  shape  your  \)\oceediQgs  for  the  sole  pur- 
pose of  obtaining  public  favor  or  popularity. — 
While  the  former  is  to  be  approbated,  the  latter 


THE    GOOD    OPlA-ION    OF    OTHERS.  37 

should  be  decidedly  avoided.     I  know  of  no  indi- 
viduals whose  conduct  and  example  are  more  to 
be  despised  and  avoided,  than  confirmed  seekers 
after  popularity — those  people  who  form  their 
•  opinions  and  give  support  to  religious  or  political 
sentiments  and  measures,  with  no  other  objects  ii« 
view,  but  to  gain  the  applause  of  the  multitude, 
and  the  smiles  of  the  wealthy  and  fashionable. 
Individuals  of  this  character,  can  not  properly  be 
said  to  possessj9/'mc?pZe5,orto  be  guided  by  them. 
Their  only  rule  and  motive  of  action  is  jjOlicy — 
their  only  study,  the  highest  eifort  of  their  mental 
powers  is.  so  to  shape  their  course,  as  to  float,  like 
the  empty  bubble  or  the  worthless  weed,  on  the 
surface  of  the  flowing  tide  of  popularity.    Nei- 
ther is  there  any  dependence  to  be  placed  upon 
them.     Having  no  love  of  truth  and  principle  to 
insure  their  stability,  to-day   they  are  with  this 
party  or  sect,  to-morrow  with  that — now  they  are 
warm  advocates  of  these  sentiments  or  measures, 
and,  anon,  as  zealously  the  friends  of  those  di- 
rectly the  reverse— as  they  are  swayed  about  by 
the  contradictory  winds  of  fluctuating  interest,  or 
public  favor  !     People  of  this  description  are  to  be 
pitied  for  their  weakness  and  folly,  and  their  vas- 
cillating  example  is  to  be  avoided  by  all  who 
would  be  truly  respected — by  all  who  would  vin- 
dicate the  position,  that  there  is  such  a  thing  as 
principle  among  men,  and  that  the  human  mind 
can  be  governed  by  it.* 

•  The  class  to  wiiich  I  refer,  is  mainly  composed  oi 
4 


38  THE   GOOD   OPINION    or   01HER3. 

Their  example,  I  repeat,  should  be  shunned,  as 
derof^atory  to  human  nature,  and  detrimental  to 
the  best  interests  of  society.  In  formincr  your 
opinions^  on  any  subject,  let  reason  and  conscience 
be  your  guides.  In  this  respect  you  should  not 
be  swayed  by  the  good  or  bad  opinions,  which 
others  will  thus  be  led  to  entertain  of  you  ;  but 
solely  by  your  reason.  If  a  proposition  or  a  sen- 
timent, on  a  careful  and  candid  examination,  a]>- 
pears  consistent  and  reasonable,  adopt  and  sup- 
port itj  whether  it  is  believed  by  many  or  few.  If, 
on  the  contrary,  it  appears  unreasonable,  reject  it, 
even  though  adopted  by  the  whole  world  beside. 
This  is  the  only  safe  rule  which  you,  as  reasona- 
ble beings,  can  adopt — it  is  the  only  manly,  hon- 
orable and  consistent  course  you  can  follow.  But 
in  allowing  interest,  numbers,  or  popularity,  to 
have  an  influence  in  forming  or  biassing  your 
opinions,  you  throw  down  all  the  safeguard  with 
which  your  Maker  has  graciously  provided  you, 
and  are  liable  to  become  the  dupe  of  every  error 
that  wears  a  gilded  dress. 

Permit  me  to  repeat,  that  your  moral  conduct 
should  be  of  such  character  as  to  gain  for  you  the 
good  opinion  of  the  virtuous  and  upright.    But 

those  whose  minds  are  so  weak,  thai  they  are  not  capa- 
ble of  forming  a  definite  opinion  upon  any  subject  of  im- 
portance— those  who  are  so  bound  up  in  self,  as  to  bo 
mdifFerent  what  principles  prevail,  so  that  their  ends-  are 
accomplished— and  those  who  are  better  pleased  to  have 
error  and  vice  spread  through  community,  than  truth  and 
virtue,  provided  their  mtereste  are  as  equally  enhanced  by 
•pie  former  as  the  latter. 


THE    GOOD    OPINION    OF    OTHERS.  39^ 

in  forming  opinions,  and  in  supporting  measures, 
assert  the  high  prerogative  of  your  nature,  and 
judge  for  yourselves,  without  respect  to  others. 
Be  certain  that  you  act  from  honest  and  consci- 
entious motives — that  your  only  object  is  to  ob- 
tain truth — and  trust  the  result  to  a  righteous 
Providence.  Whether  those  around  you  approve 
or  reject,  you  will  possess  that  which  they  caa 
neither  give  or  take  away — 

"The  soul's  calm  sunshine,  and  the  heartfeit  joy." 


CHAPTER  V. 


ON    READING. 


That  is  a  most  extraordinary  art,  reader,  by 
which  I  am  now  communicating  my  thoughts  to 
you,  although  perhaps  a  thousand  miles  intervene 
between  us,  with  as  much  ease  and  accuracy,  as 
though  you  were  in  my  immediate  presence. — 
This  operation,  to  one  who  is  a  stranger  to  the 
method  of  its  performance,  would  appear  the  work 
of  supernatural  agents.  A  late  writer,  in  descri- 
bing the  inhabitants  of  one  of  the  remote  islands 
of  the  Pacific  Ocean,  states  that  they  had  no  con- 
ception of  the  arts  of  writing  or  reading.  When 
informed  that  one  person  can  communicate  his 
thoughts  to  another,  without  voice,  or  gesture,  or 
without  being  in  his  presence,  they  utterly  dis- 
credited the  assertion.  But  after  repeated  experi- 
tr.ents,  becoming  fully  satisfied  of  its  truth,  yet 
viewing  it  as  a  work  transcending  all  human 
power,  ihoy  alleged  that  it  must  have  been  accom- 
plished by  necromancy. 

Thf  art  of  communicating  ideas  by  inscribing 

40 


ON    READING.  41 

visible  characters,  is  of  very  ancient  dale.  In  its 
first  stage,  ir.  consisted  merely  in-drawing  a  rough 
sketch  or  outline  of  the  object,  in  regard  to  which 
the  communication  was  made.  From  this  state 
the  art  was  advanced  to  the  use  of  more  systemi- 
zed  hieroglyphics  ;  and  fmm  these,  gradually  im- 
proved to  our  present  system  of  writing.  Previous 
to  the  invention  of  the  art  of  printing,  books  were 
multiplied  only  by  the  pen — a  work  so  laborious 
and  slow,  as  to  cause  them  to  be  few  in  number, 
and  of  immense  value.  So  scarce  were  books, 
that  ambassadors  were  once  expressly  sent  from 
France  to  Rome,  to  obtain  a  capy  of  Cicero's  Ora- 
tions, and  Uuintilian^s  Institutes.  The  library  of 
the  Bishop  of  Winchester,  in  1494,  contained  but 
pans  of  seventeen  books  ;  and  on  his  borrowing  a 
copy  of  the  Scriptures  from  the  neighboring  con- 
vent of  St.  Swilhin,  he  had  to  give  a  heavy  bond, 
drawn  up  with  great  solemnity,  that  he  would 
return  it  uninjured.  If  any  one  gave  a  book  to  a 
convent  or  monastery,  it  was  supposed  to  confer 
everlasting  salvation  upon  him.  Previous  to  the 
year  1300,  the  library  of  Oxford  University  con- 
sisted only  of  a  few  tracts,  which  were  carefully 
locked  in  a  small  chest,  or  else  chained,  lest  they 
should  be  carried  away. 

There  are  two  prominent  objects  in  reading, 
viz  : — amusement,  and  the  acquisition  of  valuable 
knowledge.  These,  if  possible,  should  be  com« 
bined  into  one.  No  volume  should  be  perused 
for  amusement,  which  does  not  instruct  as  well  as 
4* 


42  ON    HEADING. 

delight.  And  all  publications  of  an  instructive 
character,  will  amuse  and  please  the  mind,  when 
read  with  a  proper  thirst  for  its  lessons  of  wis- 
dom,. It  should  be  the  desire  of  every  youth,  of 
both  sexes,  to  acquire  a  habit  or  taste  for  reading. 
This  habit  will  soon  become  one  of  the  highest 
sources  of  enjoyment.  But  it  must  be  acquired 
young.  If  it  is  not  established  before  the  age  of 
iwenty-five  or  thirty,  the  probability  is,  that  it  will 
not  be  at  all ;  and  the  individual  in  this  condition, 
will  be  cut  off  from  one  of  the  most  valuable  sour- 
ces of  knowledge  and  improvement.  You  should 
read,  not  only  for  the  pleasure  which  it  affords 
you,  but  to  obtain  practical  information,  and  to 
enlarge  and  enlighten  your  views  on  those  sub- 
jects intimately  connected  with  your  welfare,  and 
the  interests  of  your  race.  You  should  read  to 
"  multiply  your  ideas,  correct  your  errors,  erase 
your  prejudices,  purify  your  principles,  and  that 
you  may  settle  down  on  the  everlasting  founda- 
tion of  truth,  in  all  things." 

A  well  established  habit  of  reading,  bestows 
benefits  innumerable.  The  young  lady  or  gen- 
tleman possessing  this  habit  gives  fair  promise  of 
future  respectability  and  usefulness.  There  is 
little  reason  to  apprehend  that  they  will  become 
profligate  or  vicious.  Examine  the  victims  of 
crime — the  inmates  of  prisons — and,  as  a  general 
rule,  it  will  be  discovered,  that  in  youth  they  were 
averse  to  reading.  In  perusing  useful  publica- 
tions, the  youthful  mind  is  elevated  above  the  in- 


ox    HEADING.  45 

ftuence  of  vicious  passions,  and  is  absolved  from 
their  contaminations. 

Through  the  medium  of  books,  you  can  live, 
as  it  were,  in  all  past  ages.  You  can  enter  the 
presence  of  the  wise  and  the  great  of  antiquity — 
vou  can  listen  to  their  lessons  of  instruction — 
treasure  up  the  fruits  of  their  research  and  expe- 
rience, and  thus  make  them  your  immediate  in- 
structors. In  books  you  have  at  your  disposal  the 
history  of  your  race.  You  can  range  over  its 
ample  extent — beholding  here,  the  corroding  in- 
fluence of  wealth  without  just  principles — there, 
tiie  fruits  of  blind  rashness — and  every  where,  the 
unavoidable  evils  flowing  from  ignorance  and  sin, 
and  the  superior  advantages  of  knowledge  and 
virtue.  As  the  bee  extracts  honey  from  objects 
nauseous  and  poisonous ;  so  can  the  industrious 
reader  obtain  lessons  of  useful  wisdom,  from  the 
errors  and  imperfections  of  those  who  figure  on 
the  historic  page.  .  ~ 

The  reader,  while  sitting  by  his  own  fireside, 
becomes  a  traveller  in  foreign  lands.  He  partici- 
pates in  much  of  the  enjoyment  of  the  tourist, 
without  experiencing  any  of  his  difficulties  and 
dangers.  He  thus  obtains  an  acquaintance  with 
the  condition,  manners  and  customs  of  distant 
nations  ;  and  his  mind  becomes  enlarged  by  con- 
templating the  wide  diversities  of  laws,  of  mor- 
als, of  religions  and  literature.  He  is  also  ena- 
bled to  compare  the  numerous  privileges  and  ad- 
vantages, which   he  enjoys  in  this  happy  land, 


44  ON    RLADIIVG. 

with  those  posicssed  by  other  naiiaijs  -  and  be  led 
the  more  sensibly  to  appreciate  tlie  immense  val- 
ue of  our  system  of  government,  and  the  impor- 
tance of  striving  to  purify  and  perpetuate  it, 
;     Reading   fills    up   many  leisue   hours,  which 
would  probably  be  otherwise  less  profitably  occu- 
pied.    When  the  labor  or  business  of  the  day  is 
closed,  the  mind  relaxes  and  seeks  for  amusement. 
These  are  dangerous  hours  to  the  young.     Then 
temptations  put  on  their  most  fascinating  garbs  j 
and    unless   guarded  against    by   some   counter 
power — some  repelling  force — will  lead  to  every 
species  of  evil.     These  critical  seasons  test  the 
character,  and  reveal  the  prospects  of  the  young. 
Those  youth  who  have  established  the  habit  of 
reading,  in  these  limes  of  leisure,  turn  as  natu- 
rally and  readily  to  their  books  for  amusement,  as 
do  the  profligate,  to  scenes  of  infamy  and  vice. 
And  thus  reading  not  only  saves  from  forming  sin- 
ful habits,  but  becomes  the  means  of  laying  up 
stores  of  useful  information,  to  be  turned  to  prof- 
itable account  in  after  years.     The  young,  in  this 
way,  candeposite  treasures  in  a  '=  Savings  Bank," 
that  will  yield  a  compound  interest  to  their  owner. 
In  what  manner  can  youth  of  either  sex,  pass  an 
evening  more  usefully,  than  in  perusing  some  en- 
tertaining and  valuable  publication,  for  their  own 
edification  and  that  of  the  family  circle  ?     The 
habit  of  reading  can  become  so  deeply  settled,  as 
to  form  the  controlling  desire  of  the  mind.     So 
firmly  was  this  habit  established  in  Brutus,  thai 


ON    HEADING.  45 

on  the  eve  of  the  bailie  of  Pharsalia,  which  it  was 
foreseen  would  decide  the  fate  of  the  Roman  do- 
rainionSj  he  was  found  calmly  reading  in  his  tent, 
and  with  his  pen  taking  notes  from  his  author. 
And  Petrarch,  the  great  poet,  if  he  did  not  read 
and  write  during  the  day,  was  very  unhappy. 

The  manner  of  reading  is  an  important  con 
sideration.  It  is  generally  supposed  that  those 
who  read  the  greatest  number  of  books,  must 
possess  the  most  knowledge.  But  this  does  not 
necessarily  follow.  An  individual  may  peruse 
v/hole  libraries,  and  be  but  little  wiser  for  his  la- 
bor. It  is  no  difficult  task  to  run  hastily  through 
^  a  publication,  neither  is  it  a  profitable  one.  The 
amount  of  knowledge  obtained  from  books,  does 
not  so  much  depend  on  the  number  perused,  as 
the  manner  in  which  they  are  read.  To  accom- 
plish the  object  of  reading,  it  is  evidently  neces- 
sary that  you  should  obtain  the  scope  of  the  ideas 
of  the  author  you  are  perusing.  You  should  be- 
come familiar  with  the  manner  and  peculiarities 
of  his  expression.  It  is  also  obvious,  that  to  ob- 
tain benefit  from  reading,  it  should  be  performed 
slowly  and  with  deliberation.  Never  permit  your-  ) 
selves  to  read  without  rejlection.  No  knowledge  . 
can  be  obtained  in  this  manner.  It  is  like  endeav-  ' 
oring  to  gather  water  with  a  seive,  or  in  the 
quaint  language  of  a  certain  author,  "  it  is  like 
laboriously  stooping  to  pick  up  chips,  only  to  let 
them  fall  again."  It  is  much  better  to  read  but  a 
few  pages  at  a  time,  and  understand  them,  than 


46  ox    Rb'ADlNO. 

hastily  to  glide  through  a  book  without  treasur- 
ing up  any  useful  knowledge.  Thinking  s1k)u1J 
always  accompany  reading.  The  latter  without 
the  former,  amounts  to  nothing.  And  yet  there 
is  no  habit  more  liable  to  grow  upon  the  young 
reader,  than  while  the  eye  is  skimming  over  the 
page,  to  allow  the  mind  to  be  wandering  away 
absorbed  in  some  thought  wholly  disconnected 
with  the  subject  before  him.  This  habit  is  an 
unfortunate  one.  It  weakens  the  intellect,  dis- 
tracts the  mind,  and  fills  it  with  confusion  and 
anarchy — and  it  should,  therefore,  be  strongly 
guarded  against.  The  attention  and  thoughts, 
should  be  brought  under  the  strict  command  of 
the  will.  If  they  fly  off  in  pursuit  of  some  wild 
vagary,  they  should  be  instantly  called  back,  and 
all  their  powers  concentrated  on  the  page  which 
you  are  perusing.  Then  you  hold  conimunion 
with  the  author,  and  are  benefited.  But  w^ithout 
this  attention,  the  book  may  as  well  be  closed. 

If.  in  reading  a  sentence  or  paragraph, -you  fail 
to  obtain  the  meaning  of  the  author,  repeat  it, 
and  if  necessary,  again  and  again — leave  it  not 
until  you  fully  comprehend  the  idea  he  would 
convey.  In  this  manner  you  will  often  find  a 
treasure,  where  at  first  glance  you  could  discover 
nothing  of  importance.  If  your  author  furnishes 
a  new  thought,  cease  reading  for  a  moment,  and 
ponder  upon  it — turn  it  frequently  in  your  mind — 
observe  its  bearing  and  tendencies,  and  its  appli- 
cability to  subjects  in  which  you  are  interested. 


0.\    RllADIXC.  i^ 

Thus  yoti  uiil  often  enter  upon  a  train  which 
will  lead  to  new  fields  of  pleasing  and  useful  re- 
flection. As  you  can  not  expect  lo  retain  in  your 
memory  the  entire  contents  of  a  book,  impress 
upon  your  minds  the  most  prominent  and  valua- 
ble portion  of  its  instructions.  And  to  this  end, 
after  having  finished  its  perusal,  reflect  upon  its 
whole  contents,  and  ascertain  what  new  and  pe- 
culiar views  you  have  obtained.  It  is  a  useful 
practice  of  many  readers,  to  note  in  a  blank  book 
or  memorandum,  such  sentences  or  ideas  as  are 
deemed  of  sufficient  importance ;  and  they  are 
thus  saved  for  future  application.  This  method 
I  would  recommend  to  such  as  have  time  or  op- 
portunity to  pursue  it. 

A  valuable  blank  book,  called  the  "  Index  Re- 
rum,"  intended  for  the  purpose  of  forming  an  in- 
dex to  the  subjects  of  which  you  read,  and  in 
which  you  may  note  the  volume  and  page  of  a 
work  in  which  any  particular  subject  is  treated, 
for  future  reference,  will  be  found  particularly 
valuable,  to  the  student,  the  professional  man,  or, 
indeed  to  any  who  may  have  occasion  often  to 
refer  to  what  they  have  perused.  Its  author,  or 
rather  its  inventor,  is  the  Rev.  John  Todd,  now 
of  Philadelphia,  the  author  of  "  The  Student's 
Manual,"  another  excellent  work  for  the  same 
classes — excepting  a  very  few  remarks  rather 
sectarian  in  their  character. 

Another  consideration  of  the  utmost  weight, 
relates  to  the  selection  of  books.     The  impor- 


48  ON    READING. 

tance  of  iliis  subject,  can  doI  be  loo  strongly  im- 
pressed upon  the  minds  of  the  young.  Tlie  sen- 
timents conveyed  in  publications  read  by  youth, 
ranst  exercise  a  sensible  inlluence  over  them,  for 
good  or  evil.  Books  of  an  immoral  and  licen- 
tious tendency,  should  be  avoided  as  the  poison- 
ous Upas.  No  youth  can  read  them  without  in 
Aiding  a  leprous  stain  upon  their  minds,  which 
will  tend  decidedly  to  evil.  Consider  those  com- 
panions your  enemies,  who  recommend  such 
works  to  your  notice.  Turn  a  deaf  ear  to  their 
advice,  and  strictly  avoid  their  example. 

In  noticing  the  character  of  works  proper  for 
your  perusal,  1  can  not  refrain  from  directing  your 
attention,  first  of  all,  to  that  "Book  of  books," 
the  Bible.  Sir  William  Jones,  one  of  the  most 
learned  men  of  his  day,  wrote  on  the  blank  leaf 
of  his  Bible,  the  folloAving  sentence — "  I  have 
carefully  and  regularly  perused  these  holy  Scrip- 
tures, and  am  of  opinion  that  the  volume,  inde- 
pendent of  its  divine  origin,  contains  more  sub- 
limity, purer  morality,  more  important  history, 
and  finer  strains  of  eloquence,  than  can  be  col- 
lected from  all  other  books,  in  whatever  language 
they  may  have  been  written,"  Let  this  invalua- 
ble volume  be  often  and  faithfully  perused — let 
its  contents,  especially  its  moral  and  doctrinal 
teachings,  be  deeply  impressed  upon  your  minds, 
as  the  only  perfect  guide  that  can  lead  to  a  faith- 
ful discharge  of  duty  towards  your  Father  in 
heaven^  and  your  fellow-beings.     Well  written 


ON    READING.  49 

books  and  other  publicationsj  relating  to  the  doc- 
trinal and  moral  truths  of  the  Scriptures,  should 
also  engage  a  due  proportion  of  your  attention,  as 
calculated  to  purify  your  hearts  and  enlighten 
your  minds.  Paley's  Natural  Theology,  and  his 
Horse  Paulinse,  and  works  of  a  similar  character, 
tending  to  strengthen  the  convictions  of  the  truth 
of  Christianity,  should  be  read  by  every  youth. 

Here,  perhaps,  I  ought  to  remark,  that  all  stand- 
ard works,  pertaining  to  or  connected  with  your 
destined  pursuits  in  life,  should  engage  the  next 
place  in  your  studies.  As  these  will  vary  accord- 
ing to  those  pursuits,  and  as  you  can  never  be  at 
a  loss  for  more  able  and  experienced  advisers 
than  I  can  be,  I  dismiss  this  consideration  with 
the  remark,  that  you  should,  by  no  means,  con- 
fine yourselves  to  these  works  alone;  but  give 
them  your  chief  and  and  best  hours,  seeking  re- 
laxation from  their  perusal  in  such  other  works 
as  I  now  shall  name. 

History  is  a  very  important  branch  of  general 
study.  Mavor's  Universal  History,  is  a  large  and 
expensive  work — but  an  excellent  compendium. 
Bigland's  Letters  on  History,  is  as  brief  as  the 
other  is  voluminous.  The  amount  of  leisure, 
and  pecuniary  means  you  possess,  (if  remote 
from  a  public  library,)  must  determine  for  you 
which  of  these,  or  of  the  following  works  you 
will  peruse.  They,  all,  are  well  worth  your  at- 
tention, and  are  recommended  to  your  notice. 
History  of  the  Jews,  by  Flavius  Josephus,  Rol- 
5 


50  ON    HLADi.NG. 

lia'i  Ancient  History,  Gillie's  Greece,  Frost'a 
History  of  Greece,  Ferguson's  Roman  Repub- 
lic, The  Annals  of  Tacitus,  Gibbon's  Decline 
and  Fall  of  the  Roman  Empire,  bearing  in  mind 
that  he  is  a  cold  sneerer  at  Christianity,  even 
Avhile  pretending  to  advocate  it  in  the  form  held 
by  the  church  of  England  ;  Moore's  History  of 
Ireland  ;  Hume's  England,  continued  by  Smol- 
let;  Robertson's  Histories,  particularly  of  Charles 
the  Fifth,  and  of  the  Discovery  and  Settlement 
of  America,  Irving's  Conquest  of  Grenada,  Mack- 
intosh's England,  Russell's  Modern  Europe, 
Baines'  History  of  the  Wars  of  the  French  Rev- 
olution, American  edition  on  account  of  the  notes, 
Ramsay's  History  of  the  American  Revolution, 
and  Mosheim's  Ecclesiastial  History.  In  bio- 
graphical works  you  will  also  find  much  histori- 
cal information,  blended  with  a  display  of  human 
character.  I  would  therefore  recommend  you  to 
read,  in  connexion  with  the  foregoing,  the  lives 
of  any  great  men  who  figure  prominently  in  them 
— particularly  Voltaire's  Life  of  Charles  XII.,  of 
Sweden,  a  fine  specimen  of  a  good  style ;  Mar- 
shall's Life  of  Washington,  Spark's  Lives  of 
Franklin,  Ledyard,  and  the  Washington  papers, 
and  also  his  Biography  j  Irving's  Columbus,  and 
his  Voyages  and  Discoveries  of  the  Companions 
of  Columbus,  Southey's  Nelson,  Scott's  Life  of 
Napoleon,  bearing  in  mind  the  deep  prejudice 
which  that  remarkable  writer  evidently  bore 
against  "  the  Man  of  Destiny,"  whose  career  he 


ox    READING.  51 

SO  grapliically  traces  ;  Win's  Lite  of  Patrick 
Henr/,  r.nd  Lives  of  the  Signers  of  the  Decla- 
ration of  Independence. — Others  might  be  na- 
med, but  the  advice  of  the  wise  and  virtuous, 
and  the  references  made  in  these  works,  Avill 
unite  in  guiding  you  to  all  else  that  can  be  ne- 
cessary to  your  instruction  in  this  important 
branch  of  reading. 

Such  works  as  Buffon's  Natural  History,  Gold- 
smith's Animated  Nature,  Good's  Book  of  Wa- 
lare,  Arnctt's  Physics,  Wood's  Mosaic  Creation, 
Treatises  on  Botany  and  Chemistry,  and  publi- 
cations on  Experimental  Philosophy,  can  be  read 
with  much  profit  and  amusement.  The  Art  of 
Being  Happy,  from  the  French  of  Droz,  with 
notes  by  Timothy  Flint,  is  a  work  full  of  valua- 
ble instruction  to  the  young.  Combe  on  the 
Constitution  of  Man  is  one  of  the  most  valuable 
publications  that  has  issued  from  the  press  in 
many  years.  I  would  earnestly  recommend  its 
perusal  to  all  whose  eye  meets  these  lines — it 
will  richly  repay  them. 

Of  poetry,  there  are  comparatively  but  few  en- 
tire works  that  can  be  safely  recommended  to  the 
young.  Pope  has  many  beauties,  intermingled 
with  much  that  is  decidedly  of  an  immoral  ten- 
dency ;  and  the  same  may  be  said  of  Burns,  By- 
ron and  Moore.  But  there  can  be  no  hesitancy 
in  recommending  Milton.  Cowper,  Young — ma- 
king due  allowance  for  their  religious  peculiari- 
ties— Scotf,   WordiworUi.    Souther,   Coleridge, 


53  ON    READING. 

Campbe!],  Beatiie,  Thomson,  Bryant,  Mrs.  He- 
mans,  and  Mrs.  Sigourney. 

In  relation  to  the  propriety  or  impropriety  of 
perusing  novels  and  other  works  of  fiction,  much 
has  been  said  on  either  side.  There  can  be  no 
doubt  that  our  book-stores  and  libraries  are  flood- 
ed with  works  of  this  character,  that  are  extreme- 
ly insipid,  and  of  a  tendency  highly  deleterious. — 
That  works  of  fiction  of  a  proper  character,  can 
be  safely  and  beneficially  read  by  the  young,  I 
have  no  hesitancy  in  declaring.  But  you  must 
be  cautious  in  your  selections.  None  should  be 
read  but  those  of  a  purely  moral  tendency,  and 
such  as  are  illustrative  of  historical  truths.  Of 
the  former,  I  would  mention  particularly  those  of 
Mrs,  Opie,  Miss  Edgeworth,  and  Miss  Martineau. 
Of  the  latter  may  be  enumerated  the  Misses  Por- 
ter's, the  most  of  Scott's,  a  few  of  Bulwer's — 
especially  his  Rienzi — several  by  Cooper,  Miss 
Sedgwick,  and  Mr.  Simms.  Many  of  Irving's 
later  works  are  of  an  entertaining  character,  and 
may  be  profitably  read — particularly  his  late  pro- 
ductions, A  Tour  on  the  Prairies,  Astoria,  and 
West  of  the  Rocky  Mountains. 

In  reading  works  of  fiction,  keep  your  mind  con- 
stantly fixed  on  the  delineations  of  character — 
mark  the  shades  of  difference  between  them,  the 
different  operations  of  external  circumstances  on 
them,  and  the  different  motives  that  actuate 
them — and  apply  all  to  the  purposes  of  self-ex- 
amination and  self-improvement.   When  the  work 


ON    READING.  53 

Is  historical,  read  it  in  connexion  with  that  portion 
of  history  to  A^ich  it  refers^  and  with  that  portion, 
of  geography  which  describes  its  location,  and 
carefully  note  what  is  fictitious,  and  v/hat  is  real. 
If  I  mistake  not.  Chambers'  Memoir  of  the 
Prince,  Chevalier  Charles  Stuart,  will  make  you 
doubly  interested,  even  in  Scott's  interesting 
Scottish  novels  relating  to  that  individual — and 
so  of  others. 

Fear  of  protracting  this  chapter  beyond  the 
bounds  of  your  patience,  prevented  me  from 
naming  many  other  works  worthy  of  your  peru- 
sal, with  comments  en  their  merits,  and  directions 
for  more  fully  availing  yourselves  of  their  interest 
and  benefits.  But  what  is  here  offered  will  suf- 
fice, probably,  to  guide  you,  until  experience  suf- 
ficient will  be  attained  to  render  further  direction 
irom  rae  of  doubtful  necessity* 


CHAPTER    V). 


PRACTICAL    OBSERVATION. 


Practical  observation,  or  the  haljit  of  observing 
men  and  things,  is  of  great  value.  There  is 
scarcely  an  event  that  transpires  around  you, 
from  which  you  may  not,  by  critical  observation, 
derive  lessons  of  wisdom — there  is  not  an  object 
upon  which  your  eyes  can  rest,  when  properly 
studied,  that  will  not  increase  your  information. 
But  all  those  sources  of  knowledge  are  sealed 
up,  without  you  take  proper  measures  to  open 
them.  Unless  you  observe  and  reflect,  wisdom 
may  instruct,  and  knowledge  lift  up  her  voice, 
"but  hearing  you  hear  not,  and  seeing  you  do 
not  perceive."  Without  the  habit  of  practical 
observation,  you  may  listen  to  the  most  profound 
instructions  of  wisdom,  without  being  wiser,  and 
examine  all  the  curiosities  of  nature  and  art, 
without  gaining  any  useful  information.  "  Keep 
ycur  eyes  open,"  is  an  old  and  profitable  maxim — 
not  the  eyes  of  your  body  only,  but  the  eyes  ol 
your  intellect  also.     And  let  your  ears  not  only 

54 


PRACTICAL    OBSERVATION.  55 

hear,  but  liear  understandingly — with  a  discrim- 
ination that  will  enable  you  to  appreciate  and 
treasure  up  all  that  is  instructive,  and  cast  away 
whatever  is  demoralizing  or  useless. 

In  this  respect,  there  is  a  vast  difference  among 
mankind.  While  one  individual  mingles  with 
the  world,  and  by  thoughtful  observation,  increas- 
es his  useful  knowledge  every  hour — another 
mixes  in  the  same  scenes,  listens  to  the  same 
language,  sees  the  same  transactions  and  the 
same  objects,  without  treasuring  up  one  valuable 
thought.  The  former  sees  and  hears  to  obtain 
information  :  the  latter  only  to  gratify  an  idle  cu- 
riosity. While  one  person,  in  straying  over  the 
fields  beholds  in.  every  tree,  in  every  flower  and 
blade  of  grass,  indications  of  the  wisdom  and 
goodness  of  God  and  thus  is  led  to  reflect  upon 
the  characteristics  of  Deity  j  another  views  the 
same  objects,  and  only  thinks  that  the  tree  affords 
a  shade  from  the  sun,  and  that  of  the  flowers  a 
fragrant  nosegay  may  be  formed.  While  one 
gazes  upon  the  sky,  and  observes  that  it  is  deck- 
ed with  "  pretty  spangles" — another  contemplates 
the  heavens  with  mmgling  emotions  of  awe, 
astonishment  and  delight.  He  there  discovers 
the  hand  of  Jehovah — he  there  reads  lessons  of 
the  majesty,  power,  and  wisdom  of  the  great  "  I 
AM."     Filled  with  wonder,  he  inquires — 


"*'*****  What  hand  behind  the  scene, 
What  arm  almighty,  put  these  wheeling  globes 
lu  motion,  and  v,Tund  uptlie  -asf  machine  "( 

I 


fe  PRACTICAL    OEdERVATION. 

Who  rounded  in  his  palm,  those  spacious  orbs  7 
Who  howled  iheni  flaming  thro'  tlic  dark  ])rofound, 
Numerous  as  j^hlt'ring  gems  of  nioming  dew, 
Cr  sparks  froui  populous  cities  in  a  blaze, 
And  set  the  bosom  of  old  Night  on  fire." 

The  habit  of  practical  observation,  while  en- 
gaged in  your  ordinary  occupations,  becomes  not 
only  a  stream  of  knowledge,  but  also  a  safe-guard 
to  screen  you  from  evil  conduct.  Do  you  ob- 
serve in  an  individual,  a  mean,  unmanly  action  ? 
Reflect  upon  it.  Observe  how  it  degrades  him — 
how  contemptible  it  causes  him  to  appear  in  the 
eyes  of  the  generous,  the  just,  the  benevolent, 
and  how  unsatisfying  must  be  his  own  reflections. 
Do  you  behold  one  at  tne  bar  of  justice,  called 
upon  to  answer  to  the  laws  of  his  country,  for  his 
crimes  ?  Meditate  upon  the  unhappy  effects  of 
sin — the  degradation  and  wretchedness  it  entails 
upon  its  victims — and  become  satisfied  of  the 
solemn  truth  of  the  Scripture  declaration,  that 
"though  hand  join  in  hand,  the  wicked  shall  not 
go  unpunished." — Do  you  perceive  neighbors, 
from  some  simple  misunderstanding,  that  could 
at  first  have  been  amicably  explained,  engage  in 
an  unhappy  contention,  in  v/hich  all  the  tinholy 
passions  are  brought  into  action,  to  the  mutual 
injury  of  the  parties,  and  which  involves  the  com- 
munity in  turmoil  and  themselves  in  wretched- 
ness? Observation  will  satisfy  you  of  the  blind* 
ness  and  folly  of  such  conduct — of  the  necessity 
of  exercising  a  forgiving  spirit,  and  of  submitting 
to  injuries  rather  than  to  enaraee  in  bo«tiHfi«»= 


PRACTICAL    OBSERVATION.  57 

that  can  at  best  but  entail  disquietude  upon  you. 
Thus  by  a  constant  habit  of  observation  and 
reflection,  you  can  turn  even  the  failings,  the 
blindness,  the  misfortunes  of  others,  to  your  own 
account — you  can  be  benefited  not  only  by  the 
knowledge  of  the  wise,  but  also  by  the  folly  of 
the  simple.  When  you  perceive  people  in  cir- 
cumstances of  diflQculty,  you  can  trace  their  ill 
fortune  back  to  its  origin,  and  by  perceiving  the 
cause  of  their  failure,  you  are  prepared  to  avoid 
pursuing  a  similar  course.  Even  the  most  trivial 
actions,  when  properly  considered,  will  sometimes 
aiFord  valuable  lessons  of  instruction.  "Old 
fashioned  economists  will  tell  you  never  to  pass 
an  old  nail,  or  an  old  horse-shoe,  or  buckle,  or 
even  a  pin,  wfthout  taking  it  up,  because  although 
you  may  not  want  it  now,  you  will  find  a  use  for 
it  some  time  or  other.  I  say  the  same  to  you 
with  regard  to  observation.  Mark  every  thing 
you  perceive — let  your  observations  and  reflec- 
tions take  in  every  object  within  your  reach.  For 
there  is  not  a  fact  in  the  whole  circle  of  human 
observation,  nor  even  a  fugitive  anecdote  that  you 
read  in  a  newspaper,  or  hear  in  conversation,  that 
will  not  afford  some  useful  reflection."  From 
every  individual  with  whom  you  converse,  how- 
ever unlearned  and  ignorant,  somethmg  new  and 
valuable  can  be  obtained,  by  proper  observation. 
Sir  Walter  Scott  was  one  of  those  men,  who 
draw  information  from  every  thing  within  their 
observation.     One  of  the  means  by  which  he,ob- 


58  rRAClICAI.    CBriERVATlON. 

tainod  his  celebrity  as  a  writer,  was  his  habit  of 
obtaining  useful  hints  from  sources  to  which 
others  would  never  think  of  looking.  It  is  said 
that  he  was  once  desirous  to  obtain  a  certain  ob- 
solete word  that  had  escaped  his  memory.  For 
a  long  lime  it  baffled  his  researches  ;  but  at  length 
in  passing  two  men  in  the  street,  engaged  in  angry 
contention,  he  heard  the  desired  word  dropped, 
amid  oaths  and  imprecations — and  he  immedi- 
ately stopped  and  noted  it  down.  This  is  prac- 
tical observation.  You  should,  like  the  above 
named  individual,  endeavor  to  learn  something 
every  where.  Your  thoughts  should  be  at  your 
command,  to  meditate  upon  every  new  object  and 
idea  that  may  be  capable  of  imparting  valuable 
information.  There  is  not  any  thing  in  the  world 
that  is  not  wonh7iot icing.  How  many  are  igno- 
rant, and  remain  so,  because  although  they  see 
and  hear,  yet  they  do  not  observe. 

The  information  obtained  by  observation,  is 
often  more  valuable  than  that  procured  in  any 
other  manner.  We  frequently  discover  individu- 
als unskilled  in  letters,  with  little  acquaintance 
with  books,  who  yet  possess  a  large  fund  of  use- 
ful knowledge,  and  are  well  informed  on  a  great 
variety  of  topics  connected  with  human  welfare — 
while  as  frequently,  scholars  from  our  institutions 
of  learning,  are  lamentably  ignorant  in  regard  to 
the  most  valuable  interests  of  society.  How  is 
this  difference  to  be  accounted  for?  In  this 
•^ise.     The  former  are  men  of  practical  observe- 


PRACTICAL    OBSERVATION.  59 

tion — they  have  studied  the  book  of  human  na- 
ture—they have  become  acquamted  with  "men 
and  things,"  by  actual  contact.  But  the  latter 
have  obtained  their  knowlodge  solely  from  books  ; 
hence  they  are  wise  in  theory,  but  ignorant  in 
practice — wise  in  regard  to  the  past,  but  ignorant 
of  the  present.  Could  each  obtain  the  acquire- 
ments of  the  other,  they  would  then,  by  possess- 
ing the  advantages  of  both  theory  and  practice, 
be  enabled  in  a  superior  degree,  to  pass  through 
life  with  usefulness  to  themselves  and  to  their 
fellow-beings.  To  possess  these  combined  ad- 
vantages should  be  the  effort  of  every  youth. 

I  trust  my  readers  will  not  suppose  I  would  en- 
courage an  idle  curiosity,  or  an  inquisitive  inter- 
meddling with  other  people's  affairs,  In  obtain- 
ing information,  I  would  by  no  means,  have  you 
mingle  with  bad  company,  or  intrude  where  it 
would  not  be  proper  to  appear,  or  take  part  in 
scenes  where  you  are  not  personally  interested. 
But  wherever  your  intercourse  leads  you,  I  would 
have  you  attentive  to  things  around.  When  you 
are  engaged  in  business,  you  have  numerous  op- 
portunities to  observe  the  workings  of  human 
passions  and  human  virtues — the  influences  upon 
man's  happiness,  of  honesty,  benevolence  and 
generosity,  on  the  one  hand,  and  of  avarice, 
fraud  and  crime,  upon  the  other.  In  company, 
you  can  perceive  and  note  the  characteristics  of 
different  individuals,  and  observe  the  disposition 
and  manners  which  render  one  agreeable  to  all, 


00  PRACTICAL    OBSERVATION. 

especially  to  the  virtuous  and  good,  and  the  con- 
duct by  wliich  others  cause  themselves  to  be  dis- 
liked and  siiunned.  Thus  you  can  be  a  constant 
student,  reading  lessons  which  will  afTord  the 
richest  wisdom.  This  work  of  observation  should, 
in  most  cases,  be  performed  in  silence.  When 
you  discover  a  fault  in  another,  I  would  have  you 
silently  benefit  yourself  by  reflecting  upon  its 
deleterious  influences,  but  not  needlessly  trumpet 
it  to  the  w^orld.  Improve  your  minds  rather  by 
meditatwg  upon  the  imperfections  of  others, 
than  by  expatiating  upon,  and  enlarging  them,  to 
the  detriment  of  their  unfortunate  possessors. 


CHAPTER    VII. 

/ 

INDEPENDENCE    OP   MIND. 


There  is  no  characteristic  more  worthy  an  in- 
tellectual beingj  than  independence  of  mind — that 
principle  by  which  opinions  are  formed  and  ad- 
hered to,  from  the  convictions  of  our  own  senses. 
Some  people  are  very  fluctuating  in  their  conclu- 
sions— seemingly  unable  to  form  any  settled  opin- 
ion— and  more  willing  to  trust  to  the  decision  of 
otliersj  than  to  the  dictates  of  their  own  minds. 
This  is  an  unfortunate  failing — it  renders  those 
under  its  influence,  liable  to  many  evils.  They 
have  no  foundation  upon  which  to  base  any  opin- 
ion, and  no  strength  to  maintain  the  teachings  of 
their  own  good  sense.  On  religious,  political, 
and  other  subjects  connected  with  their  welfare, 
they  are  liable  to  be  driven  from  point  to  point — 
from  system  to  system — without  testing  either  suf- 
ficiently to  ascertain  their  real  merits,  or  their  de- 
fects. Every  wind  that  blows,  faces  them  a  dif- 
ferent way.  To-day  they  know  not  what  they  may 
believe  to-morrow.  Ever  doubting  and  never  satis* 
9  61  . 


*02  INDLl'L.NDtNCi:    OF    MIND. 

tied,  like  jmblic  paupers,  ihey  depend  upon  others 
for  a  supply  of  mental  food.  Individuals  of  this 
character,  are  especially  sought  after  by  the  crafty 
and  the  designing.  They  are  material  of  which 
they  can  r-eadily  make  any  present  use.  Thus  they 
are  at  the  ijiercy  of  unprincipled  plotters,  "  who 
lie  in  wait  to  deceive" — they  are  like  children, 
straying  amid  a  multitude  of  paths,  without  being 
able  to  determine  which  leads  to  the  desired  des- 
tination— as  liable  to  walk  in  the  way  of  error 
and  unhappiness,  as  in  that  of  truth  and  peace. 

The  young  very  much  mistake  their  interest 
and  happiness,  when  they  permit  habits  of  inde 
cision  and  vascillation  to  creep  upon  them.  By 
the  frequent  change  of  principles  or  opinions,  they 
lose  the  confidence  of  community,  and  soon  are 
looked  upon,  only  as  fit  tools  to  be  used  by  un- 
principled demagogues.  Those  who  shuffle  about 
from  sect  to  sect — from  party  to  party — are  event- 
ually deemed  worthless  by  all.  To  avoid  being 
held  in  this  estimation,  it  must  be  your  endeavor 
to  acquire  an  independence  of  mind,  that  will 
enable  you  to  form  fixed  principles,  from  which 
trifling  considerations  can  not  move  you. 

It  is  necessary,  however,  that  you  fully  under* 
stand  the  characteristics  of  a  truly  independent 
mind.  In  th.e  first  place,  an  independent  mind  is 
not  rash.  Many  pride  themselves  on  immediately 
forming  their  opinions  on  every  subject  to  which 
their  attention  is  directed,  without  the  trouble  of 
reflection.     But  this  is  foolish  rashness,  and  not 


INDEPENDENCE    OF    MIND,  63 

independence.  Those  who  pursue  this  course, 
rush  needlessly  into  many  unpleasant  predica- 
ments. Opinions  thus  formed,  are  far  more  liable 
to  be  wrong  than  right — and  thus  their  authors 
are  compellec!  either  to  support  positions  palpably 
erroneous,  or  retract  the  rash  grounds  they  have 
assumed.  In  either  case,  they  lose  the  confidence 
of  the  judicious  and  prudent. 

Neither  does  the  independent  mind  despise  the 
opinions  of  others.  There  are  some  who  deem 
it  derogatory  to  their  character  to  listen  to,  or 
adopt  the  views  of  others.  It  matters  not  how  im- 
portant is  the  subject,  or  how  experienced  are 
those  who  express  their  sentiments ;  if  the  prof- 
fered advice  does  not  coincide  with  their  precon- 
ceived opinions,  they  consider  it  very  manly  and 
independent  to  reject  it.  But  the  mind  possess- 
ing true  independence,  will  seek  the  advice  of 
others — will  listen  to  whatever  varying  views 
may  be  expressed — and  from  such  suggestions, 
adopt  those  opinions  which  appear  the  most  rea- 
sonable. 

Equally  far  is  true  independence  of  mind  re- 
noved  from  obstinacy.  After  an  opinion  has  once 
een  formed  and  expressed  perhaps  publicly,  some 
eople  will  permit  pride  or  obstinacy,  to  prevent 
their  rejecting  it,  even  after  being  fully  con- 
vmced  of  its  fallacy.  And  thus  they  will  con- 
tinue to  hug  error  and  support  principles  they 
know  to  be  unsound,  through  fear  that  a  renounce- 
ment of  them  would  be  attributed  to  weakness  or 


M  i.ndi;pl\ndi;nl'K  op  mind 

imbecility.  But  such  a  course  is  far  from  being 
an  independent  one.  It  discovers  rather  a  weak 
and  servile  mind,  than  a  free  and  lirm  one.  It 
shows  a  mind  filled  with  a  slavish  fear  of  popular 
opinion — a  trembling  apprehension  lest  some  per- 
sons as  puerile  as  themselves,  should  deride  them. 
And  from  a  fear  of  being  considered  weak,  by  the 
weak,  they  will  remain  under  the  influence  of  a 
real  weakness  and  slavery,  that  the  firm  and  up- 
right scorn.  The  mind  can  evince  as  much  inde- 
pendence in  renouncing  an  erroneous  sentiment, 
despite  all  influences  of  an  opposing  character, 
as  in  supporting  a  just  one,  against  every  disad- 
vantage. But  there  is  an  important  distinction 
between  clianging  an  opinion  from  firm  convic- 
tion, after  deep  research  and  mature  deliberation, 
and  rashly  vascillating  from  one  view  to  another, 
at  every  trifling  impulse,  without  forethought  or 
reflection.  The  former  is  to  be  commended  and 
imitated — the  latter  to  be  despised  and  avoided. 

True  independence  of  mind  consists  in  candid- 
ly and  matureiy  examining  every  subject  which 
engages  your  attention — impartially  and  faithfully 
searching  its  foundations,  and  all  the  evidences  of 
its  truth — and  then  forming  such  opinion  in  re- 
gard to  its  merits,  as  unbiassed  reason  shall  dic- 
tate, without  being  influenced  by  any  extraneous 
circumstances.  The  mind  of  real  independence, 
adopts  only  such  sentiments  as  it  believes  to  be 
true — and  only  because  they  are  true,  in  its  esti- 
mation.     And,   consequently,  it  will  adhere  to 


INDEPENDENCE    OF    MIND.  65 

them  fii'mly,  until  ooovinced  by  superior  evidence 
of  their  falsity. 

It  is  to  be  deeply  regretted  that  in  every  com- 
munity, "there  is  a  class  who  will  sacrifice  men- 
ial freedom  and  the  right  of  judgment,  at  the 
\  shrine  of  popularity.  They  will  believe  any  thing 
'  that  is  popular,  and  oppose  every  thing  that  is 
right,  if  it  is  unpopular."  But  such  a  truckling 
and  imbecile  course,  the  individual  of  a  firm  and 
manly  mind  most  heartily  scorns.  He  does  not 
inquire,  is  this  sentiment  popular,  or  fashionable, 
or  believed  by  the  multitude,  or  by  the  proud  and 
the  wealthy  ?  But  he  simply  asks,  is  it  true? 
And  upon  the  affirmative  decision  of  this  ques- 
tion, alone  depends  its  reception  into  his  belief. 
In  selecting  their  place  for  public  worship,  those 
whose  minds  are  independent,  do  not  inquire,  who 
attend  this  meeting  or  that  ?  where  do  the  mul- 
titude crowd?  where  does  popularity  centre? 
which  is  the  most  fashionable  resort?  Such 
questions  indicate  servility  and  bondage  of  the 
deepest  character.  But  they  only  ask,  where  can 
I  listen  to  the  truth  ? — and  there,  fashionable  or 
antashionable,  popular  or  unpopular,  they  deem 
it  their  duty  to  attend.  Neither  do  they  conceal 
opinions  faithfully  formed  and  honestly  believed. 
Those  who  pretend  to  believe  one  seatiment,  and 
yet  in  reality,  cherish  another — who  give  their 
public  support  to  doctrines  which  they  at  heart 
abhor,  can  lay  no  just  claim  to  moral  freedom. 
They  are  to  be  pitied  as  involved  in  a  slavery 
6* 


06  INDKI'tNnLNCL    OF    MIND 

which  degrades  ihem  in  iheir  own  estimalion,  and 
in  that  of  a  discerning  public.  But  independent 
minds,  freely,  frankly  and  openly  express  their 
sentiments,  upon  every  proper  occasion,  with  a 
just  detestation  of  hypocrisy  and  dissimulation. 

Those  who  possess  mental  freedom,  do  not  allow 
fear  to  bias  them  in  forming  their  opinions.  Fear, 
or  cautiousness,  is  good  in  its  place — it  has  a 
proper  office,  and  that  it  should  fulfil.  But  it  has 
nothing  to  do  Avith  selecting  sentiments  for  belief, 
or  with  decision  upon  the  truth  or  falsity  of  opin- 
ions. The  Creator  has  bestowed  upon  man  more 
enlightened,  elevated  and  ennobling  faculties  for 
this  important  purpose.  He  has  given  us  reason 
and  judgment,  to  preside  over  the  emotions  of  the 
mind  ;  and  to  the  decision  of  these  high  umpires, 
should  be  brought  every  question  pertaining  to  our 
opinions.  Those  who  neglect  their  mental  facul- 
ties, and  go  down  to  the  low  passion  o[  fear,  to 
inquire  whether  they  shall  adopt  or  reject  senti- 
ments, not  only  degrade  their  nature,  dishonor 
their  high  powers,  and  reject  the  proper  exercise 
of  the  most  valuable  of  God's  gifts,  but  also  throw 
down  the  bulwarks  that  have  been  reared  for  their 
mental  protection,  and  lay  themselves  open  to  the 
assaults  of  every  dark  error — every  degrading  su 
perstition  !  Only  agitate  their  fears — arouse  their 
apprehensions — and  no  error  is  so  inconsistent  or 
monstrous,  that  they  cannot  be  made  to  receive 
it — inasmuch  as  reason,  which  alone  can  reveal 
error,  is  distrusted  and  trodden  under  foot. 


INDEPENDENCE    OF    MIND.  67 

I  trust  these  remarks,  young  reader,  are  of  suf- 
ficient weight  to  awaken  you  to  the  importance  of 
establishing  your  principles  on  a  foundation  char- 
acterized by  firmness  and  independence.  It  is  a 
neglect  to  exercise  these  qualities,  that  has  in- 
volved so  many  youth  in  the  embraces  of  error, 
vice  and  misery.  Where  this  qualification  of  an 
independent  mind  is  lacking,  you  are  exposed  to 
the  dangers  of  youthful  temptation,  to  the  dele- 
terious influences  of  pride,  fashion,  popularity, 
and  fear,  which  can  not  add  one  improvement  to 
the  mind,  or  impart  a  single  emotion  of  true  hap- 
piness. But  armed  with  this  noble  characteris- 
tic, the  assaults  of  these  powers  will  be  as  vain 
as  the  empty  chaff,  blown  against  a  firm  seated 
rock. 

A  proper  independence  of  mind  will  preserve 
you  from  the  inroad  of  many  debasing  influences. 
Are  you  in  the  company  of  the  atheist  ?  It  will 
not  allow  you  to  fall  in  with  his  derision  of  things 
sacred  and  divine,  but  will  influence  you  ever  to 
acknowledge  and  defend  your  belief  in  the  Gospel 
of  Jesus  Christ.  In  reply  to  his  cavillings  and 
his  witticisms,  you  will  present  the  broad  panoply 
of  reason  and  the  unimpeachable  testimony  of 
nature.  Are  you  in  the  presence  of  the  profli- 
gate, who  scoff  at  religion,  morality  and  virtue? 
Independence  of  mind  will  enable  you  to  with- 
stand their  temptations,  to  reprove  their  sinful 
follies,  to  rebuke  their  licentiousness,  and  to  point 
ibem  to  the  certain  evil  consequences  which  fol- 


<J8  tSDtl'ENOENCE    OF    MIND. 

low  liie  liansgressor.  Do  you  hear  the  religiou* 
sentiments  which  you  entertain,  niisrepresenteoi 
or  ridiculed  ?  An  independent  mind  will  enable 
you,  boldly  yet  courteously,  to  remove  misrepre- 
sentation, and  to  show  that  ridicuJe  is  a  poor  sub- 
stitute for  sound  argument. 

A  proper  independence  of  mind  will  administer 
much  to  success  in  all  the  avocations  of  life.  It 
will  influence  you  to  depend  more  upon  your  own 
energies,  than  upon  the  fluctuations  of  chance ; 
and  your  capabilities  will,  in  this  manner  be  de- 
veloped and  drawn  into  activity,  with  a  good  as- 
surance of  prosperity.  It  will  also  gain  for  you 
tlie  respect  of  community  at  large.  Nothing 
more  sinks  an  individual's  vdue  in  the  eyes  o( 
others,  than  a  fickle,  unstable  mind.  No  confi- 
dence is  placed  in  his  judgment — no  Aveight  at- 
tached to  liis  advice — no  respect  paid  to  his  opin- 
ions or  his  resolutions.  But  whoever  evinces  a 
firm  mind,  connected  with  a  good  character,  will 
invariably  obtain  the  confidence  of  society.  How- 
ever others  may  differ  from  him  in  sentiment,  his 
counsel  will  be  sought  after,  his  opinions  respect- 
ed, his  advice  followed. 

This  characteristic  is  also  necessary  to  self-re 
spect.  Fickleness  of  mind  in  others,  you  pity, 
yea,  almost  despise.  But  when  conscious  that 
you  possess  this  weakness  yourself,  or  that  you 
give  v;ay  to  it  on  important  occasions,  the  reflec- 
tion will  abase  you  in  your  own  estimation,  and 
end  to  an  improper  distrusting  of  your  real  powers. 


INDEPENDENCE    OF    MIND.  6'(^ 

In  these  circumstances,  it  Avill  be  in  vain  truly  to 
respect  yourself,  from  ilie  depressing  conviction 
that  you  do  not  possess  the  confidence  of  others. 
But  an  assurance  that  you  have  fixed  principles, 
and  that  you  have  sufficient  firmness  to  assert  and 
maintain  tliem,  will  impart  the  proper  amount  of 
confidence  in  your  own  capabilities,  which  is  one 
of  the  important  ingredients  of  success  in  all  un- 
dertakings. It  will  give  an  efficiency  and  firm- 
ness to  your  deportment  that  will  render  your  ex- 
ertions easy  and  unembarrassed. 

Be  it  your  endeavor,  therefore,  to  cultivate  a 
judicious  and  manly  independence  of  mind — an 
independence  as  far  removed  from  stubbornness 
as  from  fickleness — an. independence  which  leaves 
you  at  liberty,  yea,  urges  you,  to  listen  respect- 
fully and  candidly  to  all  proper  suggestions,  and 
to  seek  out  information  wherever  it  may  be  found^ 
and  enables  you  from  all  your  meahs  of  knowl- 
edge, to  form  your  own  opinions^  irrespective  of 
those  entertained  by  others,  and  to  assert  and 
maintain  those  opinions,  until  convinced  of  their 
fallacy.  Thus  will  you  exercise  the  ennobling 
prerogative  of  your  nature — ^bring  into  exercise 
the  high  faculties  with  which  you  have  been  en- 
dowed, and  in  a  good  degree,  participate  in  the 
many  blessings  which  they  are  capable  of  im- 
parting. 


CHAPTER    VIII. 

t 

\ 

POLITENESS. 

In  all  communities  of  intelligent  beings,  there 
are  certain  rules,  regulations,  or  customs,  adopted 
by  general  consent,  to  govern  the  intercourse  of 
Ofwe  with  another.  They  are  termed  in  our  lan- 
fj&.hffe.  'politeness.  It  is  true,  these  usages  differ 
much  m  their  character.  A  custom  considered 
very  polite  in  one  country,  is  deemed  extravagant 
and  ridiculous  in  another.  But  however  these 
practices  may  vary,  certain  forms  of  politeness 
prevail  in  every  class,  from  the  polished  circles 
of  the  highest  ranks  of  civilization,  down  to  the 
barbarous  and  untutored  tribes  of  the  forest. 
Your  attention,  however,  will  be  directed  exclu- 
sively to  the  general  subject  of  politeness,  as  un 
derstood  in  enlightened  countries,  and  as  appli- 
cable to  youth  of  both  sexes. 

Singular  as  the  remark  may  appear,  it  is  quite 
evident  to  my  mind,  that  the  Gospel  of  the  Re- 
deemer, understood  in  its  proper  sense,  is  the  only 
perfect  source   of  true  politeness..   What  is  po- 

70 


POLll'ENLSe.  71 

liteness  ?  It  is  not  an  air,  a  simper  or  a  strut — it 
is  not  the  mincing  of  ^vords,  or  the  formal  man- 
ner of  expressing  sentiments.  Politeness  is  ai? 
exhibition,  through  words,  sings  or  tokens,  o\ 
kind  and  friendly  emotions  towards  those  in  our 
presence.  These  emotions  cannot  be  exhibited 
properly  in  the  conduct,  unless  they  really  exist 
in  the  bosom.  And  they  cannot  exist  in  the  bo- 
som in  their  full  extent,  nor  exert  their  influences, 
unless  warmed  into  life  by  the  spirit  of  Christ's 
religion.  Those  individuals  whose  hearts  are 
steeped  in  the  influences  of  the  Gospel — who 
view  all  mankind  as  their  brethren — who  love 
them  all,  (even  their  enemies,)  as  directed  by 
the  Saviour,  and  who  allow  these  emotions  to 
control  their  conduct,  will  be  truly  polite.  And 
although  their  manners,  from  want  of  opportuni- 
ty, may  not  be  as  polished  as  those  of  others,  yet 
they  will  exhibit  that  spirit  of  universal  kindness 
and  good  will,  which  is  the  spirit  of  politeness, 
and  without  which  politeness  can  not  in  reality 
exist.  Hence  the  first  step  in  the  acquisition 
of  politeness,  is  to  imbibe  the  noble,  generous, 
liberal  and  kind  feelings,  which  flow  from  an  en* 
lightened  appreciation  of  the  Saviour's  teachings 
and  examples.  These  emotions  will  form  a  prop- 
er foundation,  upon  which  a  polished  demeanor 
can  be  based,  and  which  will  render  its  acquire* 
ment  easy  and  natural. 

As  this  subject  embraces  an  extensive  range,  1 
shall  be  able  only  to  glance  briefly  at  a  few  of  its 


^  POLITENESS. 

most  prominent  features.  And  first  your  atten- 
tion will  be  directed  to  a  few  things  tliat  are 
impolite. 

Profane  or  irreverent  language  is  improper  and 
wicked  in  any  place  ;  but  when  uttered  in  com- 
pany is  very  impolite.  It  exhibits  a  low,  gross 
and  uncukivatcd  mind.  Every  young  man — 1 
need  not  say,  every  young  lady — who  would  be 
considered  polite  and  well  bred,  will  avoid  such 
language  as  highly  derogatory  to  genteel  man- 
ners. Refrain  from  low  and  vulgar  anecdotes, 
and  indelicate  allusions  or  inuendoes.  Nothing 
should  be  uttered  in  company,  that  violates  the 
simple  rules  of  modesiy.  Every  thing  of  this 
nature  is  both  improper  and  impolite. 

Do  not  speak  loud  and  long  in  company.  This 
is  a  fault  that  young  people  are  liable  to  commit. 
In  the  exuberance  of  their  spirits,  the  voice  is 
often  raised  to  a  high  key,  and  some  favorite 
topic  is  extended  to  an  immoderate  length,  to  the 
exclusion  of  all  other  conversation.  This  habit 
should  be  strictly  guarded  against.  Those  who 
indulge  in  it  are  liable  to  utter  many  things  ridicu- 
lous and  absurd,  and  to  lay  themselves  open  to 
the  just  censure  of  the  wise  and  prudent.  Loud 
laughter  is  also  impolite  ;  and  is  considered  by 
many,  as  an  indication  of  an  empty  mind.  1 
would  by  no  means  banish  sociability  and  pleas- 
antry from  the  friendly  circle.  But  there  should 
be  a  proper  medium  observed.  The  good  sense 
of  youth,  should  teach  them  not  to  surpass,  in 


P0UTENE83.  ^  73 

these  respects,  certain  bounds  prescribed  by  pro- 
priety. 

In  a  mixed  company,  avoid,  if  possible,  all  con- 
tentions and  disputes — especially  on  exciting  top- 
ics. If  carried  to  any  extent,  they  lead  to  the 
exhibition  of  improper  feelings;  and  generally 
cause  the  disputants,  and  the  whole  company,  tt 
become  unhappy.  There  may  be  cases  where 
this  rule  should  be  departed  from ;  but  such  in- 
stances are  exceedingly  rare.  As  a  general  prac- 
tice, the  rule  should  be  strictly  adhered  to. 

Do  not  permit  yourselves,  in  company,  to  speak 
disrespectfully  of  one  who  is  absent,  if  you  can 
consistently  avoid  it.  This  practice  is  not  only 
impolite,  but  it  is  ungenerous  and  unjust.  If  it 
becomes  necessary  to  express  opinion^ derogato- 
ry to  the  character  of  the  absent,  speak  in  guard- 
ed language,  and  with  all  the  palliations  that 
charity  and  forgiveness  can  suggest. 

Avoid  any  exhibitions  of  anger  or  petulance. 
They  are  impolite  and  immodest — especially  so 
in  females.  They  throw  you  off  your  guard — 
cause  you  to  utter  expressions  extremely  improp- 
er, and  often  ridiculous — and  place  you  in  cir- 
cumstances very  unpleasant.  A  guard  should  be 
placed  upon  the  temper.  Nothing  is  more  to  be 
avoided  than  the  outbreakings  of  rage.  Under 
their  mfluence  evils  are  often  committed,  for 
which  a  whole  after  life  of  propriety  can  hardly 
atone 

Be  -cautious  not  to  interrupt  others  whenspeaV 
7 


74  POLITSNCSH. 

,  ing.  This  plainly  indicates  a  want  of  good  bleed- 
ing ;  and  yet  it  is  a  very  common  practice  with. 
many.  However  anxious  you  •  lay  be  to  atter 
your  views,  remain  silent  until  those  who  are 
speaking  have  concluded.  Respect  to  them,  and 
a  desire  to  avoid  confusion,  as  well  as  the  rules 
of  propriety,  dictate  a  strict  adherence  to  this 
precaution.  "^ 

Do  not  bluntly  deny  the  truth  of  the  opinions 
expressed  by  those  with  Avhom  you  are  conver- 
sing— and  more  especinlly  if  they  are  aged,  or 
their  opportunities  for  obtaining  information  have 
been  superior  to  yours.  If  you  differ  from  them, 
express  your  views  in  modest  and  respectful  lan- 
guage, and  with  due  deference  to  their  mature 
experien(;e.  You  should  rather  suggest  the  pro- 
priety of  a  different  opinion,  than  pertinaciously 
assert  it. 

Never  indulge  in  ridiculing  others  in  company. 
It  is  a  vulgar  and  ungenerous  practice,  and  indi- 
cates a  narrow,  uncultivated  mind.  All  have 
their  w^eaknesses  and  imperfections — even  those 
who  possess  the  most  shining  talents,  have  their 
blemishes.  "But  what  an  absurd  thing  it  is,  to 
pass  over  all  the  valuable  characteristics  of  indi- 
viduals, and  fix  our  attention  on  their  infirmities — 
to  observe  their  imperfections  more  than  the'- 
virtues — and  to  make  use  of  them  for  the  sport 
of  others,  rather  than  for  our  own  improvement."* 

•  Addiaon. 


POLITENESS.  75 

"  The  litllesi  feeling  of  all,  is  the  delight  in  con- 
templatins?  the  littleness  of  other  people."  Per- 
sons addicted  to  ridicule,  are  not  usually  distin- 
guished for  their  own  wisdom  or  good  sense. 
Like  critics  who  cut  up  a  good  publication,  with- 
out being  able  to  produce  one  themselves  worth 
reading,  so  those  most  given  to  the  ridicule  of 
others,  are  generally  themselves  deficient  in  many 
of  the  valuable  characteristics  of  human  nature. 
"  If  the  talent  of  ridicule  were  employed  to  laugh 
men  out  of  vice  and  folly,  it  might  be  of  some  use 
to  the  world;  but,  instead  of  this,  we  find  that  it 
is  generally  made  use  of,  to  laugh  men  out  of 
virtue  and  good  sense,  by  attacking  every  thing 
that  is  solemn  and  serious,  decent  and  praise- 
"worthy  in  human  life."*  If  young  people  must 
indulge  in  ridicule,  I  pray  you,  act  upon  the  re- 
verse of  this  observation  of  the  great  English 
scholar.  Let  your  talent  of  ridicule  be  exercised 
only  against  immoral  and  vicious  practices — 
against  pride,  folly,  and  every  species  of  extrav- 
agance and  sin. 

Avoid  ridiculing  others,  on  account  of  their 
appearance  or  their  plainness  of  dress.  Some 
are  naturally  more  awkward  in  their  demeanor 
llian  others,  and  any  ridicule  on  that  account, 
will  be  at  the  expense  of  your  good  sense,  in  the 
eyes  of  the  discriminating.  All  tastes  do  not 
agree  in  regard  to  dress    You  claim  the  liberty  of 

♦  Addison. 


76  POLITENESS. 

arraying  yourselves  in  such  habiliments  and  style 
as  your  fancy  dictates.  You  should  be  willing 
to  grant  the  same  privilege  to  others,  and  should 
no  more  imagine  that  you  have  the  right  of  ridi- 
culing them  for  not  following  your  taste,  than 
they  have  of  ridiculing  you  for  not  imitating 
theirs.  And  by  all  means,  avoid  ridiculing  those 
who  from  poverty,  are  unable  to  appear  in  attire 
as  costly  or  fashionable,  as  that  of  community  in 
general.  This  is  a  cruel,  ungenerous,  unmanly 
practice.  It  is  not  only  impolite,  but  it  is  really 
inhuman.  It  displays  a  selfish  spirit,  a  shallow 
mind,  and  a  heart  devoid  of  the  gentler  suscep- 
tibilities of  our  nature.  No  individual — male  or 
female — can  justly  lay  the  least  claim  to  polite- 
ness or  generosity,  who  exhibits  a  feeling  so  mean 
and  brutal.  Instead  of  basely  indulging  in  the 
ridicule  of  the  poor,  you  should  be  inclined  to 
drop  the  tear  of  pity  over  their  misfortunes,  to 
commiserate  their  condition,  to  sooth  them  and 
reconcile  them  to  their  situations,  and,  if  possi- 
ble, to  do  something,  or  say  something,  that  will 
shed  a  few  rays  of  enjoyment  into  their  hearts. 
Individuals  possessing  true  politeness,  will  exhibit 
towards  people  in  low  circumstances  as  to  prop- 
erty, none  but  emotions  of  a  kind,  humane  and 
generous  character.  And  they  will  not  judge  ol 
their  worth  by  their  poverty.  But  looking  be- 
yond the  outward  circumstances,  to  the  qualities 
of  the  heart,  they  will  honor  and  commend  in- 
tegrity, virtue  and  purity,  as  readily  when  clothed 


POLITENESS.  77 

in  worn  and  humble  garments,  as  when  arrayed 
in  "  purple  and  fine  linen." 

We  will  now  briefly  examine  the  affirmative  of 
this  subject,  and  notice  a  few  characteristics  that 
pertain  to  politeness.  I  have  once  remarked  that 
true  politeness,  is  an  exhibition,  through  outward 
signs  and  tokens,  of  kind  and  friendly  emotions 
towards  those  in  your  presence.  Or  in  other 
words,  politeness  is  a  desire  to  make  those  around 
you  happy.  A  disposition  to  be  pleasant  and 
agreeable,  therefore,  is  one  of  the  first  requisites 
of  politeness.  It  is  impossible  for  those  who  are 
morose  and  ill  tempered,  to  be  polite.  They  may- 
assume  the  outward  form,  the  shadow,  but  the 
spirit  of  true  politeness  will  be  wanting.  If  from 
misfortune,  disappointment,  or  vexatious  difficul- 
ties, or  illnessj  your  feelings  are  in  an  unhappy  or 
irritable  state,  you  had  far  better  refrain  from 
mingling  in  company,  while  such  is  your  condi- 
tion, than  to  make  others  wretched  by  a  display 
of  your  ill  feelings.  Strive,  therefore,  while  you 
are  in  company,  to  be  good  humored,  cheerful 
and  kindly  disposed.  With  these  feelings  in  full 
activity,  you  can  not  well  avoid  being  polite. 
And  it  is  encouraging  to  know  that  with  every 
efibrt  to  entertain  and  exhibit  these  emotions, 
they  will  increase  in  stability  and  extent,  until 
they  become  a  second  nature,  and  habitually  per- 
vade your  minds. 

Gratitude  is  another  ingredient  of  politeness. 
What  can  appear  more  dishonorable  or  selfish, 


78  poLrrENEW. 

than  an  insensibility  to  proflered  kindness?— 
what  more  ill  bred  or  impolite?  The  uncultiva- 
ted boor,  will,  under  the  dictation  of  nature,  re- 
turn thanks  for  favors.  And  it  surely  becomes 
those  who  would  improve  their  manners,  not  to 
be  unmindful  of  this  subject.  Every  attention 
which  you  receive  from  others,  is  an  indication  of 
the  kindness  which  they  cherish  towards  you. 
In  this  light  should  they  be  received  and  properly 
acknowledged. 

As  Washington  was  once  walking  with  a  dis- 
tinguished gentleman,  they  met  a  negro,  who,  in 
passing,  saluted  them.  The  General  gracefully 
returned  the  salutation.  His  companion  express- 
ed much  surprise,  that  he  should  return  the  bow 
of  a  black  man.  "Sir,"  said  Washington, 
"should  I  permit  this  poor  negro  to  exceed  me 
in  politeness  ?"  This  was  an  instance  of  genu- 
ine politeness.  While  the  impolite  man  would 
have  passed  stiffly  and  haughtily  by,  without  con- 
descending to  notice  the  African's  indication  of 
respect,  the  noble  minded  personage,  who  then 
occupied  the  highest  station  on  earth,  acknowl- 
edged, by  a  suitable  return,  his  sense  of  the  ne- 
gro's attention.  To  be  grateful  for  all,  even  the 
smallest  favors  granted  you,  the  smallest  indica- 
tions of  respect,  and  to  express  your  gratitude  by 
some  word,  or  in  some  intelligible  manner,  is  im- 
periously demanded  by  politeness.  While  it  is 
gratifying  to  have  acts  of  kindness  noticed  and 
appreciated,   it  is  exceedingly  painful   to  have 


POLITENESS.  79 

ihem  coldly  received,  with  no  indications  of 
thankfulness. 

In  entertaining  a  mixed  company,  much  de- 
pends upon  the  host  or  hostess.  It  should  be 
your  great  object  in  such  a  situation,  to  make  all 
your  company,  if  possible,  feel  pleasant  and  agree- 
able. You  should  not,  therefore,  confine  your 
"attentions  or  conversation  to  one,  or  any  select 
number;  but  they  should  be  equally  directed  to 
all.  And  in  your  conversation,  you  should  dis- 
criminate between  the  different  degrees  of  infor- 
mation, and  the  different  occupations  of  your 
guests.  Each  individual  should  be  addressed  on 
subjects  in  regard  to  which  they  are  considered 
the  best  informed  ;  and  your  conversation  with 
them  should  be  so  directed  as  to  relieve  them 
from  embarrassment,  and  bring  out  their  peculiar 
excellencies  and  acquirements.  From  these  im- 
partial attentions,  all  feel  that  they  are  duly  ap- 
preciated, all  are  gratified,  and  all  enjoy  them- 
selves. You  should,  in  one  sense,  forget  yourself, 
to  make  those  in  your  presence  agreeable.  And 
yet  all  these  attentions  should  be  executed  in  so 
delicate  and  artless  a  manner,  as  scarcely  to  al- 
low them  to  perceive  that  your  object  is  to  make 
them  appear  well,  and  to  minister  to  their  enjoy- 
nfent.  ' 

Always  attend  to  those  who  address  you,  and 
give  due  heed  to  their  remarks.  Inattention  in 
this  respect,  is  exceedingly  rude,  and  indicates  a 
laek  of  good  breeding.  Do  not  frequently  change 


80  POLITENESS, 

yoDT  posture  by  rising  up  or  silting  down,  or 
walking  about,  while  another  is  speaking  to  you. 
It  will  be  construed  into  a  neglect  of  their  worth, 
or  a  desire  to  avoid  their  conversation.  Whis- 
pering and  holding  private  discourse  in  company, 
is  very  improper  and  impolite. 

Pi-espect  to  the  aged,  is  another  trait  of  polite- 
ness. It  is  extremely  indecorous  to  make  those 
advanced  in  years,  the  subject  of  ridicule,  de- 
rision or  laughter.  Gray  hairs  should  ever  be 
treated  with  deference  and  respect.  The  aged 
have  long  borne  the  burdens  of  life — they  have 
administered  to  the  welfare  of  society,  and  to  the 
prosperity  and  enjoyment  of  those  who  are  now 
young.  It  becomes  your  duty,  as  the  palsy  ot 
age  creeps  upon  them,  incapacitating  them  for 
active  duties  and  for  labors,  to  honor  and  rever- 
ence them— to  cherish  and  support  them,  and 
reader  "  the  downhill  of  life,"  as  agreeable  and 
pleasant  as  possible.  No  sight  is  more  delightful 
than  to  behold  the  young  assiduously  engaged  ir 
respectful  attentions  to  the  aged — while  there  h 
no  greater  lack  of  politeness,  no  plainer  indication 
of  an  unfeeling  heart,  than  to  treat  the  aged  with 
neglect,  disrespect  or  harshness. 

Before  closing  this  subject,  I  cannot  refrain 
from  again  directing  your  attention  to  the  real 
nature  of  politeness.  People,  generally,  are  too 
ready  to  judge  of  its  existence  by  exterior  appear- 
ance and  manners.  When  persons  enter  a  room 
with  ease,  make  a  graceful  bow,  and  are  very  for- 


POLITENESS. 


81 


mal  and  ceremonious,  they  are  called  polite. 
But  although  a  due  attention  to  formalities  is 
proper,  yet  they  do  not  constitute  all  of.  polite- 
ness— they  are,  indeed,  as  has  once  been  said, 
but  its  shadow,  and  may  be,  and  often  are,  assum- 
]  ed  where  no  genuine  politeness  exists.  True 
politeness,  I  repeat,  consists  in  entertaining  kind 
'^nd  friendly  feelings  towards  others,  and  in  ex- 
hibiting those  emotions  in  your  manners.  There- 
fore, to  be  polite,  in  the  just  acceptation  of  that 
word,  you  must  cultivate  the  generous  feelings  of 
the  heart — you  must  see  that  this  fountain  of  hu- 
man emotions  is  purified,  and  that  nothing  there 
exists  but  good  will  towards  all  your  fellow-beings. 
With  the  affections  in  this  state,  politeness,  al- 
most without  eflbrt,  will  shine  in  your  intercourse 
with  the  world.  There  will  be  no  cold  affecta- 
tion, no  heartless  hypocrisy  ;  but  with  a  moderate 
degree  of  outward  cultivation,  the  manners  w  U 
be  graceful  and  polite. 


CHAPTER    IX. 


LETTER-WRITING. 


Although  this  subject  may  be  viewed  by  j,ome, 
as  of  little  importance,  yet  it  should  by  no  njeans 
be  overlooked  by  the  young.  There  are  few 
youth  of  either  sex,  who  will  not  find  it  necessary 
to  correspond  with  relatives  and  friends,  and  of- 
ten with  strangers.  And  few  there  are,  who  do 
not  desire  to  have  their  letters  appear  well  in  the 
sight  of  those  to  whom  they  are  addressed. 

The  first  requisite  in  letter-writing  is  care  in 
the  penmanship.  It  should  be  your  elfort  to  have 
your  writing  plain  and  distinct.  It  is  true,  the 
penmanship  of  all  can  not  possess  the  same  ele- 
gance and  finish ;  but  all  can  and  should  exert 
themselves  to  have  their  letters  as  legible  and 
neat  as  possible — free  from  blots,  and  with  as  little 
interlining  as  may  be.  You  should  also  endeav- 
or to  punctuate  your  composition  properly  and 
distinctly.  It  is  no  small  labor  to  peruse  a  letter 
without  stop  or  point  of  any  kind.  In  such  cases, 
it  is  difficult  to  obtain  the  meaning  of  the  writer, 

82 


LETTER- WRITING.  83 

and  ludicrous,  and  sometimes  fatal  mistakes,  are 
in  tliis  manner  occasioned.  Tlie  necessity  of  both 
spelling  and  punctuating  correctly,  is  exemplified 
in  the  old  and  familiar  anecdote,  of  the  note  hand- 
ed to  the  minister,  in  some  town  on  the  sea-board. 
It  read  as  follows :  "A  man  going  to  see  his  wife, 
desires  the  prayers  of  the  congregation."  When 
read  as  thus  written,  it  was  perfectly  ridiculous. 
But  by  changing  the  word  see  to  sea,  and  remo- 
ving the  comma  from  after  the  word  wife  to  the 
word  sea,  the  meaning  of  the  writer  is  expressed 
as  follows:  "A  man  going  to  sea,  his  wife  desires 
the  prayers  of  the  congregation." 

Great  caution  should  be  exercised  in  regard  to 
the  contents  of  letters.  Let  it  be  remembered 
that  letters  are  often  preserved  a  great  length  of 
time,  and  frequently  come  into  hands  of  whom 
the  Avriters  little  thought,  while  penning  them. 
Injudicious  letters  are  liable,  through  accident  or 
other  causes,  to  stray  into  the  possession  of  those 
who  will  wield  them  greatly  to  your  disadvantage. 
Many  individuals  would  give  half  their  wealth, 
to  recall  letters  hastily  written,  or  to  blot  out  sen- 
tences incautiously  inserted.  "  We  ought  not 
to  write  any  thing  of  which  we  may  hereafter  feel 
ashamed.  Well  written  letters  are  as  often  burnt 
or  destroyed,  as  slovenly  or  indiscreet  epistles 
are,  by  accident  or  design,  preserved,  to  rise  up  in 
judgment  against  us  hereafter."*    An  instance 

♦  Young  Ladies'  Own  Book. 


84  LETTKR-WRITINO. 

in  point  lately  oocijrred.  At  the  decease  of  the 
celebrated  Aaron  Burr,  among  his  papers  were 
found  letters  received  in  former  years,  which,  had 
they  been  made  public,  would  have  ruined  the 
characters  of  many  individuals  moving  in  the 
highest  circles. ■  Exercise  your  judgment  upon 
this  subject.  Write  nothing  to  the  most  intimate 
friend  that  would  cause  you  to  blush  or  feel  de- 
graded, were  it  read  by  strangers.  I  desire  not 
that  you  should  circumscribe  the  free  and  frank 
expression  of  thought,  but  would  rather  com- 
mend it.  Write  to  your  correspondents  as  you 
would  converse  with  them,  had  you  the  opportu- 
nity— but  as  you  would  converse  with  them  in 
the  presence  of  others. 

If  possible,  avoid  writing  disparagingly  of  the 
character  of  any.  Inadvertencies  in  this  respect, 
are  the  frequent  causes  of  difficulty  and  conten- 
tion. Sentences  of  this  nature  often  find  their 
way  to  ears  for  which  they  were  least  designed 
If  it  becomes  necessary  to  state  your  opinion  of 
the  character  of  any  individual,  communicate 
your  sentiments  in  a  frank,  yet  kind  manner — 
write  nothing  as  truth,  that  you  do  not  know  to 
be  true — avoid  deleterious  insinuations — in  fine, 
write  as  you  would,  were  you  addressing  the  per- 
son in  reference  to  whose  character  you  are  ma- 
king your  statements. 

Avoid  in  your  letters,  all  expressions  of  anger 
— all  profane  or  vulgar  language — all  indelicate 
words  and  allusions.     Write  with  the  same  re- 


LETTER-WRITING.  85 

striclions  under  which  you  would  speak  were  the 
person  present  whom  you  address — hearing  in 
mind,  that  when  your  letters  are  perused  by 
strangers,  they  will  form  an  estimate  of  your  char- 
acter and  manners,  from  the  nature  and  style  of 
their  contents. 

In  your  correspondence,  you  should  keep  in 
view  your  own  station  and  circumstances,  and  the 
rank  and  condition  of  the  individual  whom  you 
address.  In  writing  to  relatives  and  intimate 
friends,  you  should  express  yourself  in  a  different 
manner  than  when  addressing  a  stranger.  In  the 
former  case,  you  should  be  w^arm,  affectionate 
and  familiar — in  the  latter,  more  reserved,  yet  re- 
spectful, candid  and  concise. 

Regularity  in  correspondence,  should  be  ob- 
served. Many  are  very  negligent  in  this  respect — 
putting  off  writing  from  day  to  day  and  week  to 
week.  This  is  an  unnecessary  habit,  arising  solely 
from  sheer  indolence,  and  often  causing  much  dis- 
appointment and  inquietude.  Write  promptly,  at 
the  proper  time,  without  any  unnecessary  delay. 
Youth  who  are  absent  from  home  should  be  punc- 
tual in  this  respect.  As  children  leave  the  abode 
of  their  infancy,  the  sun-light  of  their  parents' 
joys  waxes  dim  and  more  dim — as  stars,  the  cher- 
ished objects  of  love  vanish  one  by  one  from  the 
family  galaxy,  leaving  darkness  and  gloom  be- 
hind. While,  in  mixing  with  the  busy  multitude 
and  engaging  in  the  exciting  avocations  and 
amusements  of  active  life,  the  hours  pass  lightly 
8 


Bt^  L£rrtR'WRlTl.NG. 

over  your  heads,  you  should  remember  ihat  to 
your  parents,  in  consequence  of  your  absence, 
time  drags  with  leaden  step;  and  tiiat  nothing  so 
cheers  their  aged  hearts,  as  letters  from  the  absent 
and  loved  ones.  The  young,  therefore,  should 
^  )ften  think  of  their  home,  of  their  venerable  pa- 
rents, and  the  peculiarities  of  their  situation.  Of- 
ten should  you  despatch  letters  laden  M^ith  love 
and  filial  affection,  and  kind  expressions  of  regard, 
to  light  up  the  evening  of  their  days,  with  smiles 
of  joy.  Oh  !  how  highly  are  those  written  mes- 
sengers prized  by  the  father  and  the  mother ! 
Anxiously  do  they  await  them,  and  eagerly  do 
they  devour  their  contents.  They  are  as  angePs 
visits,  dilTusing  consolation  and  peace.  The  mel- 
ancholy caused  by  separation,  is  felt  much  more 
sensibly  by  those  who  remain  at  home,  than  by 
those  who  go  out  into  the  world. 

Be  cautious,  in  giving  letters  of  recommenda- 
tion, that  the  individual  whom  you  would  benefit, 
actually  possesses  the  qualilications  you  enumer 
ate.  If  you  deceive  in  this  respect,  it  will  injur* 
your  integrity,  and  detract  from  your  influence 
Give  no  such  letters,  except  in  cases  where  yoc 
feel  perfectly  assured  of  the  worth  of  those  whc 
bear  your  testimonials. 

Never  be  guilty  of  circulating  anonymous  let- 
ters, or  of  assuming  false  signatures.*     These 

*  The  reader  will  understand  that  I  do  not  allude  to  Cc- 
titious  signatures  in  writing  for  the  public  prints,  where 
thny  are  often  properly  assumed.     But  even  ui  this  respect 


LETTER- WRITING.  8? 

are  low,  base  practices,  utterly  beneath  the  lady 
or  gentleman.  They  should  be  heartily  reproba- 
ted and  despised.  If  you  desire  to  give  advice  or 
to  warn  of  danger,  or  to  make  any  communica- 
tion to  an  individual,  do  it  under  your  own  proper 
signature,  with  all  frankness  and  candor.  If  you 
can  not  proceed  in  tliis  open,  manly  manner,  re- 
frain entirely  from  all  interference.  The  motives 
of  anonymous  writers  are  ever  suspected — they 
are  almost  invariably  detected  and  exposed,  and 
do  not  fail  to  meet  that  public  execration  and  dis- 
gust which  they  too  frequently  richly  merit. 

they  are  sometimes  resorted  to  for  the  basest  purposes. 
As  a  general  rule,  it  is  better  in  writing  for  the  public,  lo 
use  at  kast  the  initials  of  your  name. 


CHAPTER    X. 


RELIGIOUS    OPINIONS. 


That  man  is  by  nature,  a  religious  being,  is  a 
truth  so  evident,  and  so  universally  acknowledg- 
ed, that  it  has  passed  into  an  axiom.  A  religious 
propensity  cr  a  desire  to  worship,  is  one  of  the 
constituent  principles  of  the  human  mind.  Where- 
ever  a  human  being  is  found,  throughout  the 
globe,  this  religious  principle  is  perceived,  lead- 
ing him  to  seek  out  and  adore  some  object,  power 
or  being,  whom  he  believes  exercises  a  control 
over  his  enjoyments  and  his  destiny.  If  he  can 
not  perceive  properties  calling  for  worship  in  one 
object,  he  will  in  another — if  he  is  ignorant  of,  or 
disbelieves  in  the  existence  of  one  supreme,  in- 
telligent Being,  he  will  worship  three  or  a  thou- 
sand— or  will  reverence  a  beast,  a  reptile,  a  block, 
or  unintelligent  matter.  This  religious  propen- 
sity, like  the  other  powers  of  mind,  must  be  cul- 
tivated and  enlightened,  ere  it  can  impart  all  the 
benefit  of  which  it  is  capable — and  when  so  en- 
lightened,   it  becomes  the  source  of   the  purest 

8S 


REUGIODS   OPINIONS.  89 

happiness  within  the  reach  of  man  on  earth. 
But  when  it  is  uncultivated  and  swayed  by  igno- 
rance, doubt  or  superstition,  it  leads  to  the  belief 
of  the  wildest  vagaries  of  the  imagination  and  to 
much  mental  pain. 

An  enlightened  and  consistent  religious  belief, 
should  be  viewed  by  youth  as  one  of  the  first  and  . 
most  important  of  human  acquisitions.  It  forms 
a  stable  and  secure  basis,  upon  which  all  the 
proper  enjoyments  of  life  can  be  safely  founded. 
All  other  sources  of  earthly  happiness,  depend 
upon  many  contingencies,  and  are  liable  to  fluc- 
tuation and  decay.  But  a  reasonable  and  scrip- 
tural system  of  religion,  when  once  firmly  settled 
in  the  mind,  is  subject  to  no  variation  from  time 
or  events.  It  is  a  pure  stream  of  running  water, 
"whose  fountain  is  far  removed,  alike  from  the 
scorching  heat  of  Summer  and  the  icy  chains  of 
Winter.  Prosperity  can  not  dry  it  up,  neither 
can  adversity  freeze  it.  In  seasons  of  success,  it 
heightens  every  comfort,  and  it  turns  the  edge  of 
the  keenest  afliictions.  It  is  a  friend  that  never 
forsakes ;  but  stands  by  the  firmer,  when  its  as- 
sistance is  most  needed. 

I  iim  aware  that  youth,  generally,  are  inclined 
^0  view  the  subject  of  religion  in  an  unfavorable 
light.  But  I  attribute  this  disinclination,  to  the 
manner  and  form  in  which  the  topic  has  been 
presented  to  them,  rather  than  to  any  inrale 
aversion.  They  have  been  led — or,  rather  mis- 
led— to  look  upon  religion  as  something  gloomy, 
8* 


90  RELIGIOUS    OPiMO.vg. 

melancholy,  fearful — as  something  calculated  to 
deprive  ihem  of  the  amusements  and  enjoyments 
proper  to  their  age — something  that  makes  life 
sad,  tasteless  and  wearisome.  But  I  would  say 
to  the  youth  whose  eye  is  resting  on  these  lines, 
that  such  views  of  religion  are  radically  and 
wholly  erroneous.  Words  of  purer  truth  were 
never  uttered,  than  those  contained  in  the  poet's 
stanza : — 

"  Religion  never  was  designed 
To  ma  e  our  pleasures  less." 

It  never  was  designed  by  its  Author  to  take  from 
you  one  enjoyment,  proper  to  you  as  a  rational 
and  moral  being,  or  to  deprive  you  of  a  single 
emotion  of  true  pleasure — it  never  was  intended 
to  make  you  melancholy  or  in  any  way  unhappy. 
But  the  object  and  influences  of  the  pure  reli- 
gion of  the  Gospel,  are  directly  the  reverse.  So 
far  from  depriving  you  of  enjoyment,  the  religion 
of  the  Redeemer  would  make  you  happy.  And 
to  this  end  it  is  designed,  to  point  out  to  you,  the 
true  pleasures  from  the  false — the  sources  of  real 
gratification,  in  distinction  to  those  that  are  de- 
ceitful and  unsatisfying.  It  would  enable  you  to 
distinguish  between  the  pure  gold,  and  those  ob- 
jects which  are  but  gilded — between  the  substance 
and  the  shadow.  True  religion  would  induce  you 
to  avoid  those  practices,  sometimes  falsely  termed 
pleasure,  which  lead  to  degradation,  wretchedness 
and  ruin,  and  which  always  leave  the  sting  of 
death}  and  in  their  place,  would  impart  those 


RELIGI0C3    OPINIONS.  91 

enjoyments  which  are  pure  and  permanent,  and 
which  increase  in  value  as  age  advances.  True 
religion  is  not  designed  to  overshadow  the  path- 
way of  life  with  the  dark  clouds  of  despondency, 
but  to  cheer  it  with  the  bright  sunshine  of  peace 
and  contentment — a  sunshine  that  will  beam  upon 
you  with  its  most  vivid  brightness,  in  those  mo-  , 
ments  when  you  would  otherwise  be  surrounded 
by  darkness  and  despair. 

Do  you  not  perceive,  my  young  friends,  the 
great  importance  of  endeavoring  to  cultivate  your 
religious  faculties  ?  Would  you  avoid  unhappi- 
ness  and  degradation?  would  you  enjoy  pleasure, 
comfort,  peace?  Obtain  correct  views  of  religion, 
and  you  will  assuredly  escape  the  former  and 
secure  the  latter,  to  as  great  an  extent  as  imper- 
fect mortals  can  expect  in  this  state  of  existence. 
I  have  said  correct  views  of  religion,  because  er- 
roneous religious  sentiments,  can  not  produce 
these  beneficial  results.  Indeed,  error  in  religion 
is  one  of  the  most  fruitful  sources  of  wretched- 
ness. There  are  false  sentiments  sometimes 
conveyed  under  the  garb  of  Christianity,  which 
fill  the  mind  of  the  believer  with  pain  and  an- 
guish inexpressible — and  the  more  firmly  they  are 
believed,  the  more  dreadful  are  the  consequences. 
But  these  sentiments,  remember,  pertam  not  to 
the  religion  of  Jesus  Christ.  They  are  errors  en- 
grafted upon  the  lovely  system  of  the  Gospel,  in 
those  long  centuries  of  darkness  and  ignorance, 
which  soon  succeeded  the  apostolic  age.     With 


08  RELIGIOUS    OriNIONB. 

proper  scrutiny  thesa  errors  can  readily  be  de- 
tected. There  is  such  an  incongruity,  such  a 
want  of  harmony,  and  such  a  perfect  contradic- 
tion between  them  and  all  the  prominent  and  be- 
nevolent characteristics  of  the  Gospel,  that  the 
clear  and  unprejudiced  mind,  can  at  once  distin- 
guish between  their  teachings  and  origin.  While 
the  instructions  of  one,  are  every  thing  kind,  mer- 
ciful, and  benevolent,  the  other  promulgates  all 
that  is  dark,  and  horrid,  and  cruel — while  one 
originated  from  infinite  Wisdom  on  high,  the 
other  is  the  unholy  fruit  of  the  disordered  ima- 
ginations of  men. 

In  forming  your  religious  opinions,  it  is  neces- 
sary that  great  caution  be  exercised,  or  you  may 
imbibe  error  instead  of  truth.  I  will  mention  a 
few  rules  that  will  assist  you  in  your  researches 
on  this  important  subject. 

Let  reason  be  the  guiding  star  in  all  your  in- 
vestigations. God  has  formed  you  reasoning  be- 
ings ;  and  he  could  have  had  no  object  in  imparting 
this  high  faculty,  but  that  you  should  exercise  it 
on  all  subjects  within  your  cognizance.  To  dis- 
regard the  dictates  of  this  reason  is  derogatory  to 
your  character,  extremely  dangerous  to  your 
peace,  and  an  abuse  of  the  most  valuably  earthly 
gift  of  your  Creator.  You  should  perceive  the 
truth  of  these  remarks,  and  permit  them  to  sink 
deep  into  your  minds,  before  you  commence  set- 
tling your  religious  views.  With  reason,  un- 
swayed by  passion  or  prejudice,  for  your  guide 


RELIGIOUS    OPINIONS.  93 

you  can  hardly  err  in  religion ;  but  deprived  of 
its  directing  light,  all  is  darkness  and  uncertainty, 
and  without  fail,  you  will  grope  your  way  into 
that  error  which  generates  misery. 

I  am  aware  that  it  has  been  fashionable  with 
certain  sectarists,  to  decry  the  exercise  of  reason 
upon  the  subject  of  religion.  But  you  should 
distrust  all  such  exhortations.  They  are  never 
resorted  to  except  to  support  error  and  delusion — 
they  are  never  brought  forward  but  as  a  last  re- 
sort, to  chain  mankind  to  doctrines  and  creeds 
that  are  passing  away  before  the  increasing  light 
of  Gospel  truth.  Reflect. — Suppose  you  were  to 
comply  with  such  instructions,  and  adopt  the  rule 
not  to  consult  your  reasoning  faculties  in  regard 
to  the  subject  of  religion.  Do  you  not  perceive 
the  degradation  of  such  a  condition  ?  Do  you 
not  discover  that  you  would  be  liable  to  adopt  as 
truth,  any  absurdity,  any  wild  vagary  of  the  hu- 
man imagination,  however  incongruous  or  mon- 
strous? Your  wisdom  will  dictate  the  propriety 
of  avoiding  a  course  so  dishonorable  to  your  high 
endowments.  You  will  make  it  an  invariable 
rule  never  to  adopt  a  sentiment  within  your  com- 
prehension, that  is  not  in  perfect  accordance  with 
reason. 

I  would  here  caution  you  that  there  is  an  ob- 
vious and  important  distinction  between  a  princi- 
ple or  fact  that  is  unreasonable^  and  one  that  is 
above  reason,  or  beyond  the  reach  of  your  reason- 
ing faculties.     That  the  flowers  of  the  field  and 


M  RELIGIOUS    OPINIONS. 

•the  trees  of  the  forest,  grow  from  the  earth  iu  a 
gradual  progression,  is  reasonable — to  maintain 
on  llie  contrary,  that  they  sprung  forth  at  once,  in 
full  growth,  and  proportion,  would  be  unreason- 
able— but  to  account  fir  the  whole  process  by 
which  this  phenomenon  is  produced — to  under- 
stand the  art  by  which  nature  paints  the  rose  and 
the  lily,  in  colors  so  beautiful  and  dazzling  as  far 
to  surpass  all  man's  imitative  art — is  beyond 
reason!  Let  these  distinctions  be  kept  in  view, 
and  applied  in  your  religious  investigations. 
That  it  must  have  required  a  Being  possessing 
infinite  intelligence,  and  omnipotent  power,  to 
create  all  those  countless  worlds  and  systems 
which  are  scattered  through  immensity  of  space, 
and  to  originate  those  laws  by  which  their  mo- 
tions are  guided  with  so  much  precision — is  a 
reasonable  proposition. — No  sane  mind  can  throw 
otr  this  conviction.  But  whence  that  mighty 
Being  came,  the  mode  of  his  existence,  and  the 
manner  of  exercising  his  powers,  are  subjects 
entirely  above  our  reason — beyond  the  utmost 
stretch  of  our  limited  capacities.  Were  these 
subjects  audibly  explained  to  us  by  an  angel  from 
on  high,  we  could  not  comprehend  them  with  our 
present  feeble  powers.  But  because  our  weak 
faculties  can  not  grasp  these  topics,  shall  we  re- 
vert to  the  other  extreme,  and  declare  that  no 
God  exists?  Consistent,  well-balanced  minds 
do  not  reflect  in  this  manner.  The  one  would  be 
to  the  same  degree  unreasonable^  that  the  other 


RELIGIOUS    OIIN10N3.  90 

is  above  reason.  It  is?  your  prerogative  and  your 
duty,  to  follow  and  adopt  the  conclusions  of  rea- 
son, as  far  as  your  faculties  can  ascend.  But 
there  is  a  limit  which  will  bound  its  upward 
progress,  and  here  your  researches  must  cease — 
it  is  in  vain  to  endeavor  to  penetrate  beyond  this 
bound — your  every  effort  will  be  baffled.  You 
will  perceive  before  you  an  ocean  without  bounds 
— it  is  the  ocean  of  Infiaity  !  And  although  you 
can  not  fathom  or  measure  that  ocean,  yet  there 
is  both  pleasure  and  profit  in  lingering  on  its  bor- 
ders and  gazing  upon  its  vast  extent — now  and 
then  allowing  thought  to  take  an  adventurous 
flight  out  upon  its  bosom,  to  obtain  such  truths  as 
may  be  Vvrithin  the  reach  of  its  feeble  wing  !  But 
because  you  can  not  exceed  this  limit  of  the  hu- 
man intellect,  should  you  doubt  or  disbelieve  that 
which  is  reasonable,  within  your  comprehension  1 
The  scholar  who  should  contend  that  because  he 
can  not  solve  Euclid's  problems,  therefore  he  has 
reason  to  doubt  that  two  added  to  three,  make 
^y(i,  would  be  considered  extremely  ignorant! 
Does  it  not  display  equal  inconsistency,  to  disbe- 
lieve one  of  the  most  reasonable  and  self-evident 
truths  that  ever  appealed  to  the  human  mind — 
viz.,  the  existence  of  an  intelligent  Creator — 
simply  because  the  human  faculties  can  not  span 
infinity,  and  understand  the  mode  of  his  being? 
Every  discerning  youth  will  at  once  perceive 
the  absurdity  of  such  a  course,  and  avoid  the  rock 
upon  which  so  many  have  foundered. 


9§  RELIQIOUS   uriMONa. 

I  deem  it  important  again  to  warn  you  agaihst 
the  influence  oi  fear.  This  debasing  passion 
should  not  be  permitted  to  exercise  a.iy  control 
in  your  decisions  upon  religious  senliiiicnis.  Fear 
was  not  made  umpire  of  the  mind,  to  decide  be- 
tween truth  and  error — for  it  can  not  possibly  dis- 
tinguish the  one  from  the  other.  If  you  permit 
fear  to  usurp  the  throne  of  reason,  and  to  reign 
with  triumphant  sway  over  the  retiections  and 
conclusions  of  the  mind,  you  commit  treason 
against  your  own  nature,  and  enter  into  a  bond- 
age more  grievous  than  the  chains  and  stripes  of 
bodily  slavery.  Give  the  mental  reins  into  the 
hands  of  fear,  and  you  will  be  driven  into  falla- 
cies the  most  absurd,  and  errors  the  most  perni- 
cious. Never,  therefore,  allow  fear  to  intermed- 
dle with  the  decisions  of  your  mind,  for  it  is  the 
criterion  of  brutes,  and  not  of  rational  beings. 

In  forming  your  religious  opinions,  I  can  not 
too  strongly  urge  upon  your  attention  the  impor- 
tance of  faithfully  perusing  the  Scriptures  of  the 
Old  and  New  Testaments.  The  volume  of  in- 
spiration should  be  your  constant  companion. 
You  should  be  perfectly  familiar  with  its  contents 
— with  all  its  prominent  precepts  and  doctrines. 

In  perusing  the  Scrii)tures,  let  plain,  common 
sense  be  your  guide  in  regard  to  their  teachings. 
From  the  languages  ^in  which  the  Bible  was  ori- 
ginally written — from  its  frequent  allusions  to 
manners  and  customs,  to  sayings  and  maxims,  te 
forms  of  government  and  the  condition  of  nations, 


RELIGIOUS    OPINIONS,  97 

as  all  these  existed  at  the  different  and  distant 
times  when  its  several  portions  were  penned — it 
is  to  be  expected  that  allusions  will  occasionally 
be  made  in  that  book,  which  we  can  not  now 
fully  understand— and  an  understanding  of  Avhich 
would,  indeed,  be  of  little  avail.  It  should,  there 
fore,  be  your  object  in  perusing  the  word  of  God, 
to  obtain  a  clear  view  of  the  leading  doctrineSy 
the  great,  general  principles,  which  it  inculcates. 
A  little  candid  attention  will  satisfy  you,  that  a 
perfect  harmony  exists  throughout  its  pages — 
that  there  are  certain  important  doctrines  char- 
acterized by  truth,  wisdom  and  the  purest  benev- 
olence, every  where  proclaimed  in  that  blessed 
volume.  And  a  comparison  of  the  teachings  of 
Nature  with  the  prominent  declarations  of  the 
Scriptures,  will  convince  every  enlightened  mind 
that  there  is  a  perfect  harmony  between  them, 
and  that  both  have  proceeded  from  the  same 
source. 

If  you  observe  a  passage  of  Scripture  which, 
at  first  sight,  would  seem  to  contradict  the  lead- 
ing principles  proclaimed  in  the  Scriptures,  it 
should  receive  your  earnest  attention  and  a  criti 
cal  examination.  You  should  be  slow  to  admit 
o  your  own  mind,  that  it  is  contradictory.  Ob- 
serve the  connexion  in  which  it  is  found — ascer- 
tain who  was  its  author,  and  to  whom  it  was  writ- 
ten, and  what  were  the  circumstances  of  both 
parties — and  learn  the  nature  and  bearing  of  the 
subject  that  is  treated  upon.  If  it  contains  words 
9 


98  RELIGIOUS    OPINIONS. 

of  varying  or  of  a  disputed  meaning,  criticise  those 
words ;  ascertain  their  origin,  the  manner  in  which 
they  are  used,  and  the  meaning  they  are  made  to 
convey  in  other  portions  of  the  inspired  Avritings. 
Consult  the  opinions  of  writers  of  diifercnt  sects, 
in  regard  to  its  signification — and,  in  fine,  let  no 
measures  within  your  power,  be  lacking,  that  will 
throw  light  upon  the  subject.  If  you  faithfully 
pursue  this  course,  with  your  minds  open  to  con- 
viction, you  can  become  perfectly  satisfied  in  re- 
gard to  the  teachings  of  every  such  passage — and 
you  will  also  become  perfectly  assured  that  the 
sentiments  of  the  Gospel  of  Jesus  Christ,  are 
characterized  wholly  by  the  purest  philanthropy, 
and  the  most  impartial  love  and  kindness. 

Frequent  meditation  upon  the  character  of 
God,  as  revealed  in  the  Scriptures  and  in  the 
works  of  nature,  is  another  valuable  means  of 
obtaining  correct  views  of  religion.  The  Bible 
declares  that  Jehovah  possesses  infinite  wisdom, 
omnipotent  power,  and  boundless  and  impartial 
goodness. — And  nature  in  every  part,  in  every 
operation,  proclaims  that  its  Author  possesses 
the  same  characteristics.  Christians  of  every 
sect  unite  in  ascribing  these  attributes  to  Deity. 
Here,  then,  are  settled,  undisputed  premises,  from 
which  you  can  proceed  with  satisfactory  certain- 
ty, to  draw  conclusions  respecting  the  purposes 
and  dealings  of  God,  in  regard  to  man.  To  at- 
tribute any  work  or  design  to  the  Maker,  which 
would  contradict  the  existence  or  perfect  influ- 


RELIGIOUS    OPINIONS.  99 

ence  of  either  of  these  attributes,  would  evidently 
be  erroneous.  No  conclusion  can  be  more  cer- 
tain than  this. 

Let  these  tests  be  applied  to  the  design  of  Je- 
hovah in  creating  man — evidently  the  most  im- 
portant subject  that  can  engross  the  attention  of 
human  beings.  To  say  that  the  Maker  has  form- 
ed an  intelligent  and  sensitive  being,  with  a  de- 
termination or  foreknowledge,  that  his  existence 
should  result  in  ceaseless  wretchedness,  would 
evidently  be  very  erroneous  ;  because  it  plainly 
impeaches  the  perfection  of  one  of  the  most  prom- 
inent attributes  of  God,  viz.  his  goodness.  Either, 
Deity  is  not  impartially  good,  or  he  never  formed 
man,  for  this  destiny,  or  with  a  knowledge  of  its 
arrival.  One  of  these  sentiments  must,  there- 
fore, be  rejected  by  every  consistent  mind.  You 
must  either  deny  God's  goodness,  or  deny  that 
he  formed  his  creatures,  determining  or  knowing 
that  ceaseless  evil  Avould  be  their  fate.  The  two 
"repositions   can  not  exist  together.     Goodness 

?ould  rather  have  influenced  Jehovah  not  to  cre- 
ate the  being  at  all,  if  this  terrific  end  could  not 
be  avoided.  To  declare  that  the  Creator  formed 
man  for  a  good  purpose,  but  that  some  unforseen 
accident,  some  unanticipated  contingency  Iran- 
spired,  contrary  to  the  expectation  and  will  of 
God,  which  plunges  the  creature  into  intermina- 
ble wo,  would  plainly  overthrow  the  wisdom,  the 
foreknowledge  and  omnipercipience  of  Deity  j  and 
must,  therefore,  be  erroneou-.     And  to  insist  that 


100  RELIGIOUS    OPINIONS. 

Jehovah  has  not  power  to  prevent  his  creatures 
from  experiencing  this  horrid  doom,  or  has  not 
power  to  carry  into  full  and  perfect  execution  all 
his  plans  for  the  benefit  of  man,  is  equally  oppo- 
sed to  his  omnipotence,  and  must  be  equally  un- 
true. This  is  a  legitimate  course  of  reasoning, 
and  you  can  properly  and  safely  pursue  it.  The 
premises  are  universally  acknowledged  to  be  cor- 
rect— the  logic  is  plain  and  unimpeachable — and 
the  conclusions  as  unavoidable  and  certain,  as 
they  are  cheering  to  the  kind  and  benevolent 
heart.  Believe  no  sentiment, — however  popular, 
or  however  strongly  enforced  by  threats,  or  de- 
nunciations, or  appeals  to  your  fears, — that  vio- 
lates the  legitimate  influence  of  the  wisdom, 
power,  or  goodness  of  God.  Try  every  senti- 
ment you  may  hear  proclaimed,  by  these  tests  of 
the  Creator's  attributes.  Whatever  coincides 
with  them,  believe — whatever  contradicts  them, 
reject,  as  clearly  erroneous. 

Remember  there  is  an  infinite  difference  be- 
tween allowing  mankind  to  suffer  the  assaults  of 
sin  and  evil,  for  a  season,  to  terminate  in  their 
amendment,  purity  and  happiness;  and  in  permit- 
ting these  foes  to  torment  them  endlessly  !  The 
former — illustrated  in  the  case  of  Joseph  and  his 
brethren — is  perfectly  consistent  with  the  purest 
benevolence  and  love,  and  would  be  approbated 
by  angelic  hosts  and  beatified  spirits.  But  the 
latter  is  directly  and  forever  opposed  to  every  im- 
pulse of  goodness,  holiness  and  mercy  ;  and  were 


RELIGIOUS    OPINIONS.  101 

it  true,  would  enshroud  heaven  with  everlasting 
mourning,  and  fill  its  celestial  courts  with  weep- 
ing and  lamentation.  For,  surely,  nothing  could 
more  deeply  afflict  the  pure  and  spotless  denizens 
of  a  higher  world,  than  an  assurance  that  sin  and 
wretchedness  were  to  be  forever  perpetuated,  and 
allowed  to  prey  upon  beings  capable  under  proper 
influences  and  proper  instruction,  of  equalling 
the  angels,  in  holiness  and  love  I 

In  measuring  the  benefits  which  men  can  ex- 
pect to  receive  from  God,  especially  in  another 
life,  let  not  the  standard  be  man's  worthiness — for 
that,  alas !  at  best,  can  truly  demand  but  little — 
but  let  the  gifts  of  the  Creator  be  measured  by 
the  desire  and  capability  of  the  infinite  Donor ! 
He  who  has  but  little,  can  give  but  little  to  ob- 
jects of  charity  ;  but  he  who  has  much — who  has 
an  infinity  of  resources  at  command — can  ration- 
ally be  expected  to  give  in  accordance  to  his 
boundless  means. 

There  are  two  extremes  relating  to  religion,  in- 
to which  you  should  sedulously  avoid  running, 
vii^  infidelity  and  fanaticism.  The  one  rejects  the 
most  reasonable  propositions — the  other  believes 
ihu  most  unreasonable,  when  enforced  by  fear.— 
They  form  the  extreme  outposts  of  incredulity 
and  credulity.  Both  indicate  the  weakness  in 
which  the  human  mind  is  sometimes  permitted 
to  exist,  and  both  are  unworthy  rational  beings.— 
Minds  of  such  character,  approximate  to  each 
other  much  nearer  than  is  generally  supposed. 
9* 


102  RElJOIOOa    OPINIONS. 

Take  off  the  restraint  of /car  from  the  fanatitf, 
without  enlightening  the  mind,  and  at  one  leap, 
ne  goes  into  infidelity.  Bring  the  powerful  im- 
pulse of  fear  to  bear  upon  the  skeptic,  and  he 
becomes  the  raging  and  illiberal  fanatic  !  The 
sound,  well-balanced  mind,  occupies  the  medium 
ground  between  these  extremes.  While  it  adopts 
all  that  is  reasonable  on  every  subject,  it  rejects 
every  thing  unreasonable,  without  permitting  fear 
to  influence  its  conclusions  in  the  least.  That 
medium  ground,  which  is  based  upon  the  Gospel 
of  Jesus  Christ,  every  youth  who  would  be  saved 
from  errors,  degrading  and  distressing,  should  be 
cautious  to  occupy. 

Has  your  mind  become  entangled  in  the  dark, 
mystic  web  of  the  skeptic? — has  your  belief  in 
the  existence  of  a  supreme,  intelligent  Creator, 
been  for  a  moment  shaken  ?  Go  out  at  evening, 
and  gaze  upon  the  bright  stars  of  heaven.  What 
beauty — what  order — what  harmony  !  All  speed- 
ing with  inconceivable  velocity,  in  their  vast  cir- 
cles, yet  with  no  interference — no  confusion.  Re* 
fleet  calmly  on  that  Power — 

" whose  finger  set  aright 

This  exquisite  machine,  with  all  its  wheels, 
Though  intervolved,  exact,——" 

Could  chance^  or  the  operation  of  unintelligent 
laws,  call  into  being  all  those  mighty  orbs,  and 
clothe  them  with  beauty,  and  arrange  them  in  or-* 
der?  Could  chance  trace  out  their  vast  orbits, 
give  them  an  impetus  which  no  power  less  than 


RELIGtOtJS   OFtNtONS.  103 

omnipotence  can  arrest,  and  originate  those  laws 
by  which  all  their  movements  are  guided  and 
controlled  1  In  your  candid  moments,  when  rea- 
son has  the  uncontrolled  ascendancy,  you  can 
not  bring  your  mind  to  this  puerile  conclusion. 
Examine  critically,  and  understandingly,  the  ar- 
gument which  the  poet  draws  from  the  starry 
heavens^- 


•Much  design 


Is  seen  in  all  their  motions,  all  their  makefl : 

Design  implies  intelligence,  and  art: 

That  can't  be  from  ourselves— or  man ;  that  an 

Man  scarce  can  comprehend,  could  man  bestow  1 

Who,  motion,  foreign  to  the  smallest  grain, 

Shot  thnjugh  masses  of  enormous  weight? 

Who  bid  brute  matter's  restive  lump  assume 

Such  various  forms,  and  gave  it  wings  to  fly  1 

Has  matter  innate  motion  1    Then  each  atom 

Asserting  its  indisputable  right 

To  dance,  would  form  a  universe  of  dust. 

Has  matter  none  1    Then  whence  these  glorious  forms 

And  boundlesd  flights,  from  shapeless,  and  reposed? 

Has  matter  more  than  motion  7    Has  it  thought, 

Judgment  and  genius  ?    Is  it  deeply  learned 

In  mathematics  ?    Has  it  framed  such  laws, 

Which,  but  to  guess,  a  Newton  made  immortall 

If  so,  how  each  sage  atom  laughs  at  me. 

Who  think  a  clod  inferior  to  a  man? 

If  art'to  form,  and  counsel  to  conduct — 

And  that  with  greater,  far,  than  human  skill — 

Resides  not  in  each  block — a  Godhead  reigna! 

Grant  then,  invisible,  eternal  Mind; 

That  granted,  all  is  solved. " 

When  attempts  are  made  to  unsettle  your  con- 
fidence in  the  Gospel  of  Jesus  Christ,  see  that 
you  are  not  led  astray  by  cavilling  and  sophistry, 


104  RELIGIUUS    OPINIONS. 

on  points  of  no  importance.  Tlie  skeptic  him- 
self, can  not  but  acknowledge  the  great  value  of 
the  moral  precepts  of  the  Gospel.  He  must  ad- 
mit, that  to  cause  harmony,  brotherly  kindness 
and  peace,  to  prevail  throughout  the  habitations 
of  man — to  allow  the  human  race  to  enjoy  all 
the  happiness  of  which  they  are  capable  in  this 
world — all  that  is  requisite,  is  the  universal  dif- 
fusion and  the  universal  practice  of  the  rules  of 
moral  conduct  enjoined  by  the  Saviour.  Why, 
then,  should  they  oppose  the  spread  of  a  religion 
possessing  these  benign  characteristics  ?  Will  it 
have  a  tendency  to  cause  men  to  live  in  that  vir- 
tuous and  peaceful  manner,  so  requisite  to  public 
welfare,  by  taking  from  them  the  volume  that 
alone  can  lead  them  into  such  a  course  of  life? 
Call  upon  the  skeptic  for  a  system  of  religion  or 
morals,  that  has  more  valuable  properties — that 
will  have  a  greater  tendency  to  make  men  virtu- 
ous, peaceful  and  happy — that  will  infuse  bright- 
er prospects  or  sweeter  hopes  into  the  mind,  than 
that  contained  in  the  New  Testament.  And 
never  forsake  your  adherence  to  the  Gospel  of 
the  Redeemer,  until  that  better  system  is  put  into 
your  possession.* 

♦  Females  can  not  be  too  much  on  tlifeir  guard  against 
the  assaults  of  skepticism.  Nothing  appears  more  unnat- 
ural and  abhorrent,  than  a  female  skeptic.  It  seems  im- 
possible that  any  woman  can  become  so,  who  is  aware  of 
the  actual  influences  of  Christianity,  and  of  the  immense 
benefit  it  has  conferred  upon  her  sex.  Is  it  inquired, 
what  has  Christianity  done  especially  for  woman  1  1  an- 
sywr— it  found  her  sex  degraded  and  debased— the  slavo 


RELIGIOUS    OPINIONS.  105 

In  regard  to  the  authenticity  of  the  New  Tes- 
tament, there  is  a  short  method  of  reasoning, 
that  should  have  a  satisfying  influence  upon  your 
minds.  That  book  could  nor  have  been  written 
by  wicked  and  deceitful  men.  It  is  impossible  to 
conceive  any  rational  motive  that  could  influence 
such  men  to  forge  a  volume,  v/hich,  in  every  line, 
deeply  condemns  their  own  conduct,  and  holds 
them  up  to  the  reprehension  of  their  fellow-be- 
ings.    What  could  induce  bad,  corrupt  men,  to 

of  man — viewed  as  only  fitted  to  abide  his  bidding  and 
subserve  his  pleasures.  From  this  low  estate,  Christiani- 
ty has  raised  woman  up  to  an  equality  with  the  other  sex, 
in  a  moral  and  mental  point  of  view — it  has  made  her 
the  companion  of  man,  instead  of  his  slave — and  enabled 
her  to  become  the  sharer  of  his  joys^  his  triumphs,  and 
his  acquirements.  All  the  moral  and  intellectual  advan- 
tages that  females  enjoy  in  Christian  lands,  above  the 
members  of  the  same  sex  in  savage  and  ignorant  nations, 
iiave  been  procured  solely  through  the  ameliorating  and 
heavenly  influences  of  the  Gospel  of  Jesus  Christ!  Look 
abroad  over  the  earth.  Wherever  Christianity  sheds  its 
benign  light,  females  are  elevated,  improved,  respected 
and  honored— wherever  Christianity  is  not  known,  there 
they  continue  the  degraded,  wretched  servants  of  man  I 
Surely,  then,  females  who  are  swayed  by  the  principles 
of  propriety  and  self-respect— who  desire  their  sex  to 
maintain  the  elevated  elation  they  now  occupy — who 
would  have  their  rights,  their  virtues  respected,  and  their 
mental  and  moral  capabilities  appreciated  and  improved 
— will  not  assist  -in  destroying  that  beautiful  system  of 
Christianity,  which  has  given  them  this  elevation,  and 
which  alone  supports  it.  Neither  will  they  give  their  as- 
Bistance  or  countenance  to  those  who  are  engaged  in  this 
blind  and  mad  work  of  destruction.  At  ler.st  no  femals 
will  pursue  this  suicidal  policy,  but  she  who  prefers  abase- 
ment, slavery  and  infamy,  to  virtue,  dignity  and  an  hon- 
orable equality  with  rnan — but  she  who  chooses  the  dark- 
ness, ignorance,  and  the  licentiousness  of  barbarism,  to 
the  light,  elevation  and  modesty  of  civilization. 


106  RELIGIOUS    OPINIONS. 

Compose  a  book  containing  the  most  perfect  code 
of  morals  of  which  the  human  mind  can  conceive? 
Could  such  men  have  written  such  a  volume? 
No.  The  New  Testament  must  have  been  w.nt- 
ten,  then,  by  men  of  virtue  and  integrity — men 
who  felt  the  value  of  its  instructions.  And  cer- 
tainly men  of  this  character  would  not  deliber- 
ately pen  what  they  knew  to  be  false  !  Thus 
iho  very  existence  of  the  New  Testament  among 
as,  is  one  of  the  most  convincing  proofs  of  its 
truth.* 

♦  Tiiere  are  two  works  lately  published  upon  the  evi- 
dences of  Christianity,  which  I  would  especially  recom- 
mend to  youth,  as  of  immense  value,  viz.— "An  Argu- 
ment for  Christianity,"  by  I.  D.  Williamson,  and  "  Chris- 
tianity against  Infidehty,''  by  T.  B.  Thayer. 


CHAPTER    XI.  i 

TREATMENT    OP    RELIGIOUS    ERROR. 

Mankind  have  been  created  with  powers  of 
mind,  so  diversified,  that  the  variety  of  opinions 
upon  subjects  relating  to  religion,  is  not  a  matter 
of  astonishment.  It  would  be  far  more  surprising, 
when  we  reflect  upon  the  various  d  egrees  of  knowl- 
edge possessed  by  mankind,  were  they  all  to  en- 
tertain precisely  the  same  views.  This  disparity 
of  opinion  existing,  I  deem  it  of  some  importance 
to  make  a  few  suggestions,  in  regard  to  the  treat- 
ment of  those  who  differ  from  you  in  religious 
sentiment. 

In  the  first  place,  let  it  be  remembered,  that  by 
the  law  of  nature,  others  have  the  same  unaliena- 
ble right  to  differ  from  you  in  opinion,  that  you 
have  to  dissent  from  them.  And  in  this  land  ot 
religious  freedom,  the  liberty  of  entertaining  and 
defending  such  religious  sentiments  as  they  deem 
proper,  without  injury  to  their  rights,  privileges 
or  immunities,  is  guarantied  to  all  its  citizens. 

107 


lOS  THLATMiNT    OF    KELIGIOUS    LRHOK. 

It  is  both  proper  and  necessary  that  you  should 
observe  the  letter  and  spirit  of  these  nalurfil  and 
political  laws — they  should  form  the  basis  upon 
which  you  found  the  principles  of  your  emotions 
and   actions  towards  your  religious  opposers. — 
Never,  therefore,  disparage,  despise,  ill-treat,  or 
calumniate  any  of  your  fellow-beings,  on  account 
cf  their  religious  views,  if  you  have  reason  to  be-  ' 
lieve  that  they  are  sincere.      Such  conduct  vio- 
lates the  principles  of  equity  and  uprightness,  and 
those  who  are  guilty  of  it,  have  no  just  claims 
to  manhood  or  Christianity.     Hypocrisy  of  every 
form  and  feature,  it  is  your  duty  to  despise  and 
discountenance,  in  a  decided  and  proper  manner — 
but  sincerity^  however  absurd  its  object,  should 
ever  be  respected. 

Withhold  not  the  name  of  Christian^  from  any 
sect  who  believe  in  the  Gospel  of  Jesus  Christ. 
This  concession  is  called  for  by  truth,  and  by  that 
chanty  and  urbanity  which  denominations,  believ- 
ing in  the  same  God,  the  same  Saviour,  and  the 
same  Bible,  should  ever  exhibit  towards  each 
other.  And  it  is  an  incentive  to  this  practice, 
and  a  pleasing  reflection,  that  in  every  class  of 
professing  Christians,  there  are  many — very  many 
— who  possess  the  true  spirit  of  Christ. 

Avoid  also  attributing  to  any  sect,  doctrines  or 
principles  which  they  deny.  They  should  be  al- 
lowed to  possess  the  right — which  you  claim  for 
yourself — of  stating  their  own  sentiments,  and  the 
grounds  upon   which  they   rest  them — and  iat 


TREATMENT    O       RELIGIOUS    ERROR.  109 

these  sentiments,  and  uone  olher,  should  ihey  be 
held  accountable. 

Never  judge  of  the  character  of  a  whole  sect, 
or  of  the  influence  of  its  doctrines,  by  the  conduct 
of  a  few  of  its  adherents.  From  the  imperfec- 
tions of  human  nature,  all  are  liable  to  err,  al- 
though possessing  the  purest  principles.  Even 
the  chief  of  the  disciples  of  Christ  once  denied 
his  Master.  Judge  of  every  man's  character,  by 
his  own  personal  conduct,  and  not  by  the  conduct 
of  another.  And  decide  upon  the  influence  of 
doctrines  by  their  general  effects  upon  their  be- 
lievers. 

It  is  a  natural  and  laudable  wish,  to  induce 
others  to  adopt  our  peculiar  religious  opinion?, 
but  to  accomplish  this  end,  certain  precautions 
must  be  observed.  You  must  avoid  ridiculing 
those  whose  views  you  would  change.  This  is  a 
favorite  measure  with  many  public  advocates  of 
religion  ;  but  they  who  resort  to  it,  are  not  the 
most  successful  in  winning  adherents  to  their 
doctrines.  Ridicule  is  a  dangerous  weapon — it 
is  a  two-edged  sword,  and  can  be  wielded  as  skil- 
fully by  the  advocate  of  error,  as  by  him  who 
•would  build  up  truth.  Ridicule  seldom  reaches 
the  judgment  to  convince  it  of  error;  but  it  inva- 
riably wounds  the  feelings  and  upholds  the  preju- 
dices of  those  against  whom  it  is  levelled.  It  is 
one  thing,  to  expose  the  fallacies  of  erroneous 
sentiments  in  a  plain,  candid  and  forcible  manner, 
but  another,  and  different  thing,  to  ridicule  those 
10 


110  TREAT.MF.M     ut     KtLlGIOUS    ERROR. 

who  aie  so  unt'ortunate  as  to  entertain  them.  By 
pursuing  the  former  course,  you  can  hope  to  suc- 
reetl  in  changinij  tlie  opinions  of  tho-e  you  ad- 
dress ]  but  if  you  fail,  you  can  nut  be  successful 
in  any  case  by  adopting  the  latter. 

When  speaking  to  religious  opposers,  or  oj 
them,  never  indulge  in  harsh  epithets.  Instead 
of  saying  that  people  are  "liars."  or  "fools"  or 
"destitute  of  common  sense,"  it  is  much  more 
polite  and  Christian-like,  to  say  simply,  thai 
they  are,  or  may  be  mistaken.  "No  person  was 
ever  reclaimed  from  error,  by  being  insulted  or 
reproached."  Harsh  epithets  can  not  convince 
an  individual  of  the  falsity  of  his  opinions;  but 
they  can,  and  will  arouse  his  anger,  steel  him 
against  conviction,  and  confirm  him  in  his  errors. 

In  all  religious  discussions,  whether  public  or 
private,  never  display  ill-temper.  This  would  be 
improper — it  would  exhibit  a  lack  of  courtesy  and 
of  a  Christian  spirit — and  it  would  give  an  op- 
poser  a  decided  advantage  over  you.  To  give 
reason  and  judgment  that  full  sway  which  is  so 
requisite  in  controversy,  the  ;  assions  should  be 
kept  in  entire  subjection. 

In  a  mixed  company,  of  whom  any  are  stran- 
gers to  you,  be  cautious  of  what  you  say  in  regard 
to  sentiments  which  you  deem  to  be  erroneous. 
These  sentiments  may  be  believed  by  some  in 
your  presence ;  and  a  harsh  word  or  an  ungen- 
erous epithet,  may  not  only  prejudice  them  against 
yourself,  but  also  against  the  sect  to  which  you 


TREATMENT    OF    RELIGIOUS    ERROR.  Ill 

belong  and  the  doctrine  you  profess — and  this 
too,  to  an  extent  which  it  would  be  difficult  to 
overcome,  even  by  the  power  of  truth. 

In  all  your  conversation  and  intercourse  with 
those  of  different  religious  sentiments — in  all  your 
efforts  to  convince  them  of  their  errors — let  your 
manner  be  characterized  by  gentleness,  kindness 
and  the  most  friendly  emotions.  Too  much  care 
and  attention  can  not  be  bestowed  on  this  subject. 
Indicate  by  your  spirit  and  conduct,  that  you  re- 
spect and  love  them,  whatever  you  may  think  of 
their  errors- -let  them  perceive  that  you  are  inter- 
ested in  their  welfare,  and  that  you  only  desire 
to  change  their  views,  that  you  may  enhance  their 
happiness.  I  care  not  how  strong  are  the  argu- 
ments you  call  to  your  aid,  if  they  are  but  cloth- 
ed in  the  language  of  kindness  and  respect. — 
Kindness  has  an  influence  in  convincing  opposers, 
ten  thousand  times  more  powerful  than  sarcasm, 
ridicule  or  contempt.  There  was  much  true  phi- 
losophy in  the  remark  of  the  little  girl.  She  was 
asked — "how  is  it  that  every  body  loves  you  V 
"  I  don't  know,"  she  replied,  "  except  it  is  because 
I  love  every  body."  This  was  the  real  secret. 
An  emotion  of  kindness  evinced  towards  those 
whom  you  would  affect,  will  invariably  awaken  a 
similar  feeling  in  their  bosoms  towards  you.  The 
icy  bulwarks  of  prejudice  can  be  melted  dowa 
by  the  warm  rays  of  love  and  friendship — and 
reasonable,  well-applied  arguments,  can  then  do 
their  work  effectually  in  eradicating  error.     In 


112  TREATMENT    OF    RELIGI0D8    ERROR. 

fine,  iu  this  respect,  as  in  all  others,  follow  impli- 
citly the  Saviour's  golden  rule — "  Do  unto  others, 
as  ye  would  that  others  should  do  unto  you." 

It  may  be  proper  to  add  liere,  a  few  liints  in  re- 
gard to  the  time  and  place  of  manifesting  your 
peculiar  religious  views.  There  are  some  peo- 
ple who  are  in  the  constant  habit  of  obtruding 
their  sentiments  upon  the  notice  of  others.  At 
home  or  abroad — in  the  stage-coacli,  the  steam- 
boat, the  bar-room  or  the  street — they  are  ever 
proclaiming  and  insisting  upon  the  peculiarities 
of  their  doctrines, ,  for  the  purpose  of  raising  a 
flame  of  controversy.  I  do  not  say  this  of  any 
one  sect — for,  there  are,  undoubtedly,  those  in  all 
denominations,  who  are  amenable  to  this  charge. 
The  practice  is  exceedingly  unpleasant,  as  well 
as  ungentlemanly.  Circumstances  and  occasions 
may  frequently  occur,  wherein  it  is  more  proper 
to  remain  silent,  than  to  urge  your  religious  te- 
nets. You  can  all  conceive  of  such  cases.  I  am 
far  from  desiring  you  to  cover  up,  or  in  any  way 
conceal  your  sentiments,  when  it  is  proper  to  ex- 
press them.  I  would  rather  urge  you  firmly  and 
fearlessly  to  declare  and  maintain  your  opinions, 
whenever  such  a  course  is  distinctly  called  for. 
But  I  would  have  you  exercise  prudence  as  to  the 
lime,  place  and  circumstances.  Your  good  sense 
and  the  rules  of  propriety,  will  dictate  when  it 
would  be  proper  or  improper — polite  or  rude — to 
express  your  religious  views,  and  enter  into  a  con- 
troversy to  maintain  th^m.      It  may  be  proper  to 


TREATMENT   OF   RELIGIOUS   ERROR.  113 

io  SO  in  all  those  public  places  above  enumerated, 
iHider  very  peculiar  circumstances — but  such  in- 
Btances  are  exceedingly  rare.  I  repeat,  let  pru- 
dence and  judgment  be  your  guides  in  relation 
to  this  subject,  and  you  will  hardly  errn 
9* 


A  VOICE  TO  YOUNG  MEN. 


CHAPTER    I.  i 

INTRODUCTION. 

The  station  in  society  occupied  by  young  men, 
is  one  of  commanding  importance  and  deep  re- 
sponsibility. In  the  course  of  nature  and  by  the 
usages  of  mankind,  to  those  who  are  now  young 
men,  must  soon  be  committed  in  trust,  under 
Providence,  all  the  important  interests  of  commu- 
nity. If  the  institutions  of  our  country — its  civil 
and  religious  freedom — the  numerous  advantages 
and  facilities  which  it  affords  for  the  improvement 
f  mankind  in  useful  knowledge — are  to  be  pre- 
served and  perpetuated,  it  must  be  mainly  through 
their  exertions.  Upon  their  arm  the  nation  de- 
pends to  repel  the  foreign  foe,  and  to  quell  the 
spirit  of  domestic  discord.  They  will  soon  com- 
pose our  legislative  and  other  deliberative  coun- 
cils. It  will  speedily  devolve  upon  them  to  enact 
laws  and  to  execute  them.  In  fine,  ere  long,  they 
must  give  tone  to  our  national  voice  and  national 
character.  When  the  infamous  Catalin?  con- 
spired to  wrest  from  Rome  her  liberf.ie*,  his  first 

117 


118  INTRODUCTION. 

effort  AVis  to  corrupt  the  youn^  men  ;  well  know- 
ing thai  when  they  became  ripe  for  misrule,  the 
work  of  desecrating  the  altar  of  Liberty,  cculd 
easily  be  accomplished.  And  true  it  is,  that  as 
the  young  men  of  a  nation  are  enlightened  and 
virtuous,  or^corrupt  and  ignorant,  so  are  the  p/os- 
pects  of  its  future  prosperity,  or  of  its  speedy 
overthrow  and  ruin.  How  necessary  that  young 
men  should  become  aware  of  the  important  re- 
sponsibilities resting  upon  them,  and  of  the  ne- 
cessity of  qualifying  themselves  to  discharge 
them  faithfully  ? 

The  condition  of  young  men,  in  regard  to  their 
future  character,  is  much  more  perilous  than  that 
of  the  other  sex.  Being  brought  by  their  occu- 
pations, in  frequent  contact  with  the  unprincipled 
and  profligate,  they  are  subject  to  influences  ex- 
tremely deleterious,  and  to  temptations  of  a  se- 
ducing and  dangerous  character.  Absorbed  in 
the  pursuits  for  pleasure,  or  in  the  strife  for  wealth 
or  fame,  they  are  liable  to  be  led  into  a  careless- 
ness as  to  the  means  employe^  to  secure  their 
ends.  Blindfolded  by  passion,  interest,  or  a  thirst 
for  enjoyment,  thousands  rush  headlong  into  those 
vicious  practices  that  plunge  their  votaries  into 
the  deep  vortex  of  wretchedness.  And  yet  there 
is  a  safe  path,  open  for  all  to  pursue,  which  will 
most  certainly  lead  to  respectability,  enjoyment 
and  peace — a  path  which  none  ever  yet  followed, 
without  escaping  many  of  the  evils  of  life,  and 
experiencing  a  prosperity,  and  an  amount  of  hap- 


SELECTION    OF    ASSOCIATES.  119 

piness  which  are  av anting  to  all  who  pursue  a 
contrary  course. 

Young  men,  will  you  listen,  while  I  endeavor 
to  point  out  that  path,  and  lay  before  you  some  of 
the  inducements  which  call  upon  you  to  walk 
therein  ?  While  I  may  not  have  time  or  space  to 
go  over  the  whole  ground  pertaining  to  your  duty 
and  interests,  still  I  will  engage  to  bring  forward 
motives  sufficiently  powerful  to  induce  every  wise 
and  discreet  young  man,  to  be  cautious  and  watch- 
ful, as  to  the  measures  he  adopts  to  secure  pros- 
perity and  enjoyment.  Your  attention  is  first  so- 
licited to — 

THE    SELECTION    OF    COMPANIONS. 

Man  is  by  nature  a  social  being.  He  delights 
to  mingle  with  his  race,  and  to  interchange  senti- 
ments and  offices  of  friendship  and  kindness. — 
This  disposition  is  peculiarly  evinced  by  the 
young.  Every  young  man  selects  some  one  or 
more  of  those  who  are  of  his  rank  and  condition, 
to  become  his  companions  or  associates.  At  every 
opportunity,  he  seeks  their  company,  to  find  that 
enjoyment  which  he  supposes  he  would  fail  to 
obtain  by  mingling  with  others. 

The  influence  exercised  by  the  companions 
with  whom  you  intimately  associate,  will  be  pow- 
erful and  enduring.  "  Show  me  your  company, 
and  I  will  show  you  your  character,"  is  an  old 
adage  and  true.  The  character  of  the  associates 
With  whom  you  mingle,  will  evince  to  a  good  de- 


120  SELti.riON    OF    ASSOCIATES. 

gree,  your  inclinations,  habits  and  principles. — 
Young  men  often  are  not  aware,  how  sensibly 
their  reputation  is  influenced  by  their  compan- 
ions. Do  you  associate  with  the  vicious,  the 
profligate,  the  intemperate  ?  You  must  not  be 
surprised  if  community  attribute  to  you,  propen- 
sities of  a  like  character.  What  other  conclu- 
sion can  they  draw  ?  You  never  prefer  the  com- 
pany of  one  man  to  that  of  another,  without  there 
is  something  more  pleasing  to  you  in  his  habits 
or  principles.  If  you  prefer  the  society  of  the 
ignorant  and  corrupt,  to  that  of  the  enlightened 
and  virtuous,  there  is  no  indication  more  certain, 
that  your  inclinations  and  tastes  tend  more  pow- 
erfully to  the  characteristics  of  the  former,  than 
to  those  of  the  latter.  However  dissimilar,  at 
first,  may  be  your  tastes,  habits  and  principles,  by 
mingling  constantly  in  the  company  of  certain 
individuals,  you  insensibly,  yet  unavoidably,  lose 
your  distinctive  characteristics,  and  absorb  theirs. 
As  the  stream  always  partakes  of  tiie  qualities  of 
the  soil  through  which  it  runs,  so  the  principles 
and  habits  of  youth,  become  invariably  tinctured 
by  the  character  of  the  company  in  which  they 
mingle. 

Great  caution,  therefore,  is  necessary  in  regard 
to  your  associates.  You  should  not  view  this  as 
a  subject  unworthy  a  thought  or  an  exertion. — 
From  among  your  acquaintance,  you  should  se- 
lect those  with  whom  youw^ould  associate.  And 
in  this  choice,  let  wisdom  and  discretion  be  your 


SELECTION    OF    ASSOCIATES.  121" 

guides.    Remember  that  you  are  creatures  of  im- 
itation, and  that  the  force  of  example  is  immense, 
in  forming  your  character.     If  you  err  in  your 
selections — or  if,  from  choice,  you  associate  with 
he   profligate   and    debased — your   condition    is 
ruly  critical.     Allowing  that  your  character  at 
he  commencement  of  the  intimacy,  is  much  bet- 
er  than  theirs,  bow  long  can  it  remain  so  ?     It  is 
aext  to  impossible  for  you  to  raise  them  to  your 
elevation  in  worth,  were  you  disposed  so  to  do. — • 
But  tlie  effect  of  your  intercourse  with  them,  will 
be   the  reverse.     You    will  be  debased  to  their 
level — you  will  become  saturated  with  their  evil 
propensities — you  will  imitate  their  vicious  prac- 
tices— be  wedded  to  their  corruptions,  and  finally, 
will  be  led  into  the  degradation  and  ruin  which 
is  the  certain  result  of  dissipation  and  crime. 

By  associating  with  the  vicious,  you  assume 
their  character,  are  weighed  by  their  worth,  and 
esteemed  by  their  value,  in  the  eyes  of  commu- 
nity. You  probably  recollect  the  story  of  the 
dog  Tray,  and  of  the  difficulties  that  befel  him, 
though  innocent,  from  mingling  in  bad  company. 
That  fable  is  more  frequently  enacted  in  real 
jife,  than  many  would  suppose.  But  young  men 
do  not  often  become  rid  of  evil  companions,  at  as 
cheap  a  rate  as  poor  Tray.  At  the  expense  of 
one  flogging  he  abandoned  the  gang  forever. — 
But  although  youth  experience  many  evil  conse- 
quences from  their  corrupt  associates,  yet  it  too 
frequently  happens,  that  they  become  so  tinctured 
11 


128  seLFCTION    OF    AS80CIATCB. 

with  the  love  of  low  and  vicious  company,  and 
their  sinful  practices,  that  again  and  again  do 
they  return  smarting  to  their  embrace.  Strong 
and  more  strong  grow  the  chains  that  bind  them 
to  the  servitude  of  evil  desires.  Vices  upon  which 
they  first  looked  with  horror,  gradually  become 
less  repulsive  in  their  appearance,  until  they  final- 
ly fall  helpless  and  entirely  into  the  slavery  of 
their  grasp. 

When  once  you  embrace  the  company  of  the 
profligate,  it  will  be  difficult  to  dissever  the  con- 
nexion. They  will  exert  every  cfi'ort  to  induce 
you  to  continue  in  bondage  with  them.  All  ex- 
ertion on  your  part  to  reform,  will  be  met  by  their 
combined  ridicule  and  opposition.  This,  added 
to  the  strong  chains  of  sinful  habits,  will  render 
your  return  to  virtue,  a  work  of  extreme  diffi- 
culty. Thus  by  selecting  vicious  companions, 
there  will  be  an  hundred  chances  to  one,  against 
your  reformation,  your  success  in  business,  or  your 
obtaining  a  respectable  character — but  the  great 
probability  is,  that  you  will  experience  the  fate"" 
predicted  by  the  wise  man — "  the  companion  Oi 
fools  shall  be  destroyed."  You  should  believe  it 
as  an  immutable  truth,  that  by  becoming  the  com- 
panion of  the  foolish  and  corrupt,  you  will  event- 
ually lose  your  virtuous  and  upright  principles, 
and  with  them  will  be  destroyed  health,  reputa- 
tion, peace  and  happiness  ! 

With  these  dangers  visibly  before  them,  youiig 
nen  of  discretion  and  forethought,  will  perce'To 


SELECTION  OP  ASSOCIATES.         123 

the  necessity  of  selecting  such  associates  only,  as 
are  virtuous  and  intelligent.  In  making;  your 
choice,  you  should  not  be  influenced  by  ouLward 
show,  or  circumstance  ;  by  pride,  or  fasliion,  or 
popularity — you  should  not  be  influenced  so  much 
by  condition,  as  by  the  qualification.  The  real 
difference  in  the  value  of  men,  arises  not  from 
their  circumstances,  but  in  superiority  of  mind, 
purity  of  morals,  and  amiability  of  disposition. — 
All  are  worthy  to  become  your  associates  who  are 
virtuous,  amiable  and  intelligent.  Such  choose, 
and  none  others. 

By  mingling  and  associating  with  people  of 
these  qualifications,  you  can  not  fail  of  being  high- 
ly benefited.  Your  natural  propensity  of  imita- 
tion— the  influence,  of  their  conversation,  habits, 
manners  and  general  demeanor — all  become  pow- 
erful causes  operating  upon  your  character  and 
forming  it  to  virtue  and  usefulness.  In  the  pre- 
sence of  such  individuals,  all  incentives  to  vice 
will  be  wanting — virtue,  religion  and  useful 
knowledge  will  appear  in  their  true  and  lovely 
forms — and  trains  of  thought,  action  and  habit, 
will  be  laid,  that  will  lead  to  the  most  valuable 
results.  An  intimacy  with  people  of  good  char- 
acter, will  elevate  you  in  the  estimation  of  so- 
ciety. Their  virtues,  to  a  considerable  extent, 
will  be  considered  yours.  Confidence  will  be  re- 
posed in  you — assistance  rendered  you — and  the 
good  wishes  of  your  fellow-beings  will  rest  upon 
you.    In  fine,  the  benefits  flowing  from  the  choice 


124         SELtCTION  OF  ASSOCIATES. 

of  virtuous  and  enlightened  associates,  are  all 
the  reverse  of  the  evils  growing  out  of  a  selec- 
tion of  those  who  are  vicious. 

Be  cautions  to  avoid  deception  in  this  matter. 
Gay,  sociable,  pleasant  manners,  are  not  alwayi 
the  indication  of  a  pure  heart,  or  of  virtuous  prin- 
ciples. Beneath  an  agreeable  exterior,  often  lurk 
low,  vulgar  tastes,  vicious  propensities  and  profli- 
gate habits.  Become  the  associate  of  no  one 
with  whose  character  you  are  not  fully  acquaint- 
ed. Form  no  intimncies,  and  allow  none  until 
you  are  perfectly  satisfied  upon  this  point.  This 
is  the  only  safe  course  you  can  adopt. 

Listen  cheerfully  to  the  advice  of  parents  and 
guardians,  in  regard  to  your  associates.  By  their 
superior  experience  and  wisdom,  they  possess  a 
clearer  insight  into  human  character  than  you  can 
have  obtained;  and  they  are  enabled  to  look  be- 
yond the  exterior  appearance  and  accomplish- 
ments, and  comprehend  to  a  good  degree,  the 
real  character  of  youth.  Their  counsel  will  be 
of  essential  benetit  in  aiding  you  to  avoid  the  com- 
panionship of  the  vicious,  and  in  selecting  for 
your  intimacies,  those  who've  example  v.ill  be  of 
.a  virtuous  and  salutary  character. 


CHAPTER    II. 

TEMPTATIONS. 

There  are  many  vicious  practices  which,  ar- 
rayed in  deceitful  garbs,  present  themselves  to 
young  men,  and  frequently  allure  them  to  ruin. 
These  temptations  throng  around  the  young  in 
their  most  alluring  forms,  and  invite  them  to  par- 
ticipate in  what  they  would  cause  you  to  believe 
are  their  enjoyments.  But,  young  men,  beware 
of  them. — beware  !  Although  they  appear  before 
you  in  the  garb  of  friendship — although  they  ad- 
dress you  in  sweet  and  fascinating  tones — yet,  ia 
reality,  they  are  your  foes — ^your  most  bitter,  fatal, 
deadly  enemies !  They  come  to  you  under  the 
specious  pretence  of  improving  your  condition, 
of  affording  you  enjoyment,  of  leading  you  into 
those  fair  and  beautiful  fields  of  pleasure,  which 
are  spread  out  invitingly  before  you.  But,  mark 
me !  all  their  pretences  are  false — all  their  promises 
are  baseless  and  empty — and  those  gorgeous  pic- 
tures which  they  so  vividly  paint  to  your  glowing 
imagination,  are  as  illusory  and  vain,  as  the  fleet- 
11*  125 


126'  TEMPTATIONS. 

ing  visions  of  the  midnight  dream.  In  their 
erery  attempt  to  bestow  enjoyment  upon  you, 
their  highest  success  can  be  but  a  fitful  excite- 
ment, which  will  inflict  a  real  sting,  a  real  poison, 
to  your  true  happiness  and  peace.  Were  these 
temptations  to  present  themselves  in  their  true 
colors — were  their  real  features  visible — youth 
would  reject  them  instantly.  { 

"  Vice  is  a  monster  of  so  frightful  mcin, 
As,  to  be  hated,  needs  but  to  be  seen." 

When  vice  is  seen  in  its  real  nature  and  results, 
it  is  universally  hated.  It  is  only  by  the  disguise 
which  temptations  assume,  the  tinsel  trappings 
with  which  they  conceal  their  hideous  features, 
that  they  are  enabled  to  deceive  any.  When 
young  men  see  these  temptations  in  the  grosser 
aspects  they  assume  to  their  confirmed  victims,  or 
discover  their  ulterior  and  certain  results,  they 
start  back  with  disgust  and  horror.  The  youth 
who  beholds  the  drunkard  rolling  in  the  mire,  and 
hears  his  children  cry  for  bread — or  sees  the  prof- 
ligate bloated  with  disease,  or  the  thief  in  prison, 
or  the  murderer  upon  the  gallows — has  no  inclina- 
tion to  be  degraded  to  these  conditions ;  and  has 
no  apprehension  that  such  will  ever  be  his  cir- 
cumstances. And  such,  indeed,  would  never  be 
his  condition,  were  he  but  considerately  to  trace 
these  disastrous  results  back  to  their  real  origin. 
But  herein  lies  the  danger  of  youth.  It  is  diffi- 
cult to  convince  the  young  men,  that  harmless 
temptations,  as  he  imagines  them,  which  are  so 


TEMPTATIONS.  121 

pleasing  and  enticing  to  his  imagination,  are  liie 
cause  of  so  much  pain,  and  wretchedness,  and 
ruin.  I  beseech  all  candid  young  men  to  be  con- 
sistent upon  this  subject.  If  you  would  know 
the  real  effect  of  giving  way  to  early,  and  even 
trivial  temptations,  go  and  question  the  miserable 
victims  of  vice.  Amid  groans  of  anguish  and 
unavailing  regrets,  they  will  trace  to  you  the  his- 
tory of  their  career,  recorded  in  the  annals  of  in- 
famy and  shame.  They  will  lead  you  back,  step 
by  step,  the  downward  road  they  pursued.  They 
will  assure  you,  that  the  vices  which  eventually 
plunged  them  into  ruin,  presented  themseh'^es  to 
their  view,  in  youth,  in  the  same  pleasing  colors, 
with  the  same  harmless,  inoffensive  air,  that  they 
now  appear  to  you.  They  believed  these  lying, 
deceitful  appearances — they  followed  the  gilded 
shadows — they  plunged  deep  into  the  vortex  of 
misnamed  pleasure,  and,  ere  long,  they  awoke 
involved  in  the  severest  anguish  and  despair ! 

Young  men,  will  you  not  take  warning  by  the 
living  records  of  crime,  which  are  every  where 
scattered  around  ?  Will  you  wisely  scrutinize 
the  temptations  that  beset  you,  and  perceive  their 
ruinous  effects,  and  withstand  them?  Or  will 
you  give  way  to  their  fascinations,  and  recklessly 
rush  onward  in  the  foolharoy  career,  run  by  so 
many  of  your  race,  to  awaken  to  the  same  degra- 
dation and  anguish?  Be  not  so  vain  as  to  flatter 
yourself  that  you  can  indulge  in  sinful  practices, 
and  avoid   those  dreadful  consequences  which 


128  TKMPTAT10N3. 

they  have  invariably  entailed  upon  all  who  have 
been  guilty  of  them.  By  what  reasonable  rule 
can  ^•'ou  calculate  that  the  laws  of  God,  of  nature, 
and  of  man,  will  change  their  mode  of  operation, 
and  relent  in  their  principles  and  exactions,  in 
your  behalf,  when,  to  all  others  they  are  unde- 
viatingly  and  rigidly  certain?  Indulge  not,  for  a 
moment,  these  ignorant  suppositions.  Like  causes 
must  produce  like  effects.  If  by  giving  way  to 
early  temptations,  others  have  rapidly  become  in- 
volved in  wretchedness  and  ruin  as  you  well 
know,  the  same  fate  unavoidably  awaits  you,  if 
you  imitate  their  example. 

I  will  briefly  notice  a  few  of  the  temptations 
by  which  young  men  are  liable  to  be  beset. 

Gambling  is  a  temptation  to  which  young  men 
are  exposed.  This  practice  is  unjust.  It  is  un- 
just to  take  the  property  of  another,  without  re- 
turning a  proper  equivalent  therefor — it  amounts 
to  robbery  ;  this  the  gamester  does.  Gambling 
is  unlawful.  No  just  law  can  sanction  or  tolerate 
it.  Laws  were  passed  against  it,  as  early  as  the 
reign  of  Q,ueen  Anne,  of  England.  And  from 
that  period  to  the  present,  in  all  well  regulated 
communities,  this  practice  has  been  forbidden  by 
law.  It  is  an  unprofitable  occupation.  "  It  is 
certain,"  says  Locke,  "that  gaming  leaves  no 
satisfaction  behind  it,  to  those  who  reflect  when 
it  is  over ;  and  it  no  way  profits  either  body  or 
mind.  As  to  their  estate?,  if  it  strike  so  deep  as 
to  concern  them,  it  is  a  trade,  then,  and  not  a 


TEMPTATIONS.  12& 

recreation,  wherein  few  thrive ;  and,  at  best,  a 
thriving  gamester  has  but  a  poor  trade  of  it,  who 
fills  his  pockets  at  the  price  of  his  reputation." 

Gambling  is  opposed  to  industry.  Those  who 
occasionally  win  sums  of  money  by  the  turn  of  a 
card,  or  the  throw  of  a  die,  soon  acquire  a  dis- 
taste to  the  slower  routine  of  acquiring  property 
by  industrious  occupation.  It  begets  in  them  a 
feverish  desire  to  become  Avealthy  in  a  moment, 
which  spurns  a  more  tardy  yet  surer  process. 

Gambling  is  ruinous  in  all  its  tendencies  and 
consequences.  It  is  ruinous  to  character.  The 
gamester  is  despised  by  the  virtuous  and  enlight- 
ened, and  suspected  even  by  his  associates.  To 
be  connected  with  him,  or  to  associate  with  him, 
is  a  disgrace,  and  his  society  is  shunned  by  all 
those  who  would  be  considered  respectable.  He 
is  distrusted  by  all;  for  it  is  consistently  deemed 
probable,  that  he  who  will  filch  from  another  his 
lawful  property,  at  the  gaming  table,  will  not 
hesitate  to  take  any  other  measures,  howevcF 
vicious  or  unlawful,  to  accomplish  the  same  ob- 
ject. It  is  ruinous  to  morals.  Its  tendencies 
are  to  blunt  the  sensibilities  as  to  those  nice  dis- 
tinctions of  right  and  wrong,  so  necessary  to  pre- 
serve purity  of  morals.  The  gamester  soon  loses 
all  regard  for  truth,  honesty  and  candor,  and  is 
compelled  to  resort  to  falsehood  and  deception  to 
obtain  his  object.  This  pernicious  practice  is 
the  fruitful  source  of  every  conceivable  vice  and 
crime.     Its  natural  fruit  is  theft,  robbery,  murder, 


130  TEMPTATIONS. 

suicide,  forgery,  perjury,  intemperance,  and  every 
species  of  licentiousness  and  sin.  Giimlding  is 
ruinous  to  property.  How  many  are  reduced  by 
it  from  aflluence  to  poverty — how  many  wilh  tl»e 
imbecility  of  idiots,  throw  away,  in  a  sinjjle 
night,  the  earnings  of  years  of  industry  !  The 
gamester  can  make  nc  safe  calculations  as  to 
property.  He  may  possess  a  fortune  this  year, 
and  the  next,  be  clothed  in  the  beggar's  rags. 
The  chances  that  the  latter  will  be  his  condition, 
are  vastly  the  most  numerous.  Where  one  game- 
ster dies  in  affluence,  a  thousand  end  their  days 
in  poverty. 

Tiiis  vice  is  probably  carried  to  a  greater  excess 
m  France  than  in  any  other  country;  and  there 
its  true  effects  are  discovered.  Its  wretched  vic- 
tmis  are  bound  in  slavery  to  its  fascinations,  un- 
til stripped  of  all  their  possessions  ;  and  then,  in 
the  phrenzied  moment  of  despair,  terminate  their 
existence  by  suicide,  or  commit  some  desperate 
act  which  sends  them  to  the  prison,  and  perhaps 
the  guillotme. 

I  warn  young  men  to  avoid  this  vice  as  they 
value  life,  character  and  contentment.  Of  all 
miserable  mortals,  the  gambler  is  among  the 
most  wretched.  His  mind  is  constantly  stretched 
upon  the  rack  of  uncertainty,  and  filled  with  the 
most  fearful  forebodings.  Avoid  a  company  ot 
gamblers  as  you  would  a  den  of  thieves.  Look 
upon  the  gaming-table  as  the  door  which  leads  to 
certain  disgrace,  poverty  and  wo  ! 


TEMPTATIONS.  '   l3i 

Intemperance,  is  anoiher  temptalioii  that  assails 
young  men.  The  evils  of  this  vice,  are  now  so 
frequently  and  ably  elucidated,  that  a  few  remarks 
from  me  can  only  be  necessary.  The  fatal  effects 
of  intemperance,  are  written  out  in  pictures  hor- 
ridly true  and  vivid,  in  every  town  and  hamlet 
throughout  our  country.  Broken  fortunes,  blast- 
ed anticipations,  ruined  health,  disgrace,  hunger, 
want,  and  sufferisg  in  every  shape,  are  the  pro- 
liiic  fruits  of  this  wretched  habit. 

Young  men,  have  you  any  desire  to  be  involved 
in  these  miserable  circumstances  ? — do  you  wish 
for  degradation  and  want?  I  anticipate  your  re- 
ply. You  start  back  with  horror,  and  cry  "No I 
God  forbid  I"  And  how  do  you  expect  to  avoid 
them  ?  By  following  in  precisely  the  same  path 
that  involved  others  in  their  toils  ? — by  imitating 
that  sot  who  in  youth  drank  whenever  occasion 
offered?  Your  good  sense  will  dictate  the  danger 
of  such  a  course.  There  is  one  infallible  rule — 
and  but  one— by  following  which,  every  young 
mail  may  be  certain  of  avoiding  intemperance, 
and  all  the  long  catalogue  of  evils  that  invariably 
ollow  in  its  train — and  that  is,  to  abstain  entirely 
from  all  drinks,  as  a  beverage,  that  possess  power 
to  intoxicate,  in  all  places,  and  under  every  cir- 
cumstance. Tins  is  your  only  safe-guard! 
Observe  this  rule  faithfully,  and  you  are  safe — 
you  are  entirely  beyond  the  reach  of  the  monster 
intemperance,  and  its  dreadful  consequences. 
But  break  over  this  rule,  however  slightly,  and 


3  32  TEMPTATIONS. 

you  are  exposed  to  great  danger.  If  you  become 
what  is  called  "the  temperate  drinker" — if  you 
indulge  occasionally  in  the  intoxicating  draugiit — 
you  have  fairly  set  out  on  the  high  road  to  intem- 
perance; you  have  overstepped  the  only  line  of 
perfect  safety,  and  have  no  assurance,  no  guar- 
anty, that  you  will  not  become  a  miserable,  de- 
graded sot !  "  But  cannot  I  govern  and  restrain 
myself  within  the  bounds  of  moderation  ?"  says 
the  temperate  drinker.  This  is  precisely  the 
question  asked  by  every  drunkard,  while  yet 
drinking  but  temperately ;  and  the  answer  can  be 
read  in  the  bloated  visage,  broken  constitution, 
and  ruined  character — in  the  poverty,  and  want, 
and  rags  of  their  wretched  families  !  Allhougli 
all  temperate  drinkers  do  not  become  iiabitual 
drunkards,  yet  is  quite  certain  that  no  man  can 
become  intemperate,  without  first  being  a  mod- 
erate drinker.  Intemperance  is  not  the  work  of 
a  moment.  Every  drunkard  in  the  land,  was 
first  a  temperate  drinker;  and  he  then  felt  as  cer- 
tain that  he  would  never  become  the  beastly  slave 
of  intoxication,  as  the  most  confident  youth  who 
reads  these  lines.  But  of  what  avail  was  his 
confidence  ?  While  he  yet  felt  strong  in  his  own 
power  of  restraint  and  resistance,  habit  was  in- 
sidiously winding  its  massive  chains  around  him, 
binding  all  his  noble,  and  manly,  and  god-like 
powers  in  servitude,  and,  ere  long,  he  sunk  the 
willing  slave  of  one  of  the  most  cruel  task-mas- 
ters that  ever  scourged  the  human  race  !    Young 


TEMPTATIONS.  133 

man.  listen  to  me  !  and  if  to  any  thing  in  these 
chapters  you  give  heed,  I  pray  you  follow  the  ad- 
vice I  now  enjoin  upon  you.  Adopt  it  as  one  of 
the  inflexible  principles  of  your  conduct,  to  avoid 
partaking  tho  inebriating  draught,*  under  any 
circumstances  whatever  !  Then  you  are  perfect- 
ly secure.  But,  I  repeat,  take  any  other  course, 
and  you  at  once  become  liable  to  all  the  horrors 
of  intemperance.  In  avoiding  an  admitted  evil 
of  immense  magnitude,  why  not  take  the  safe 
and  certain  path,  rather  than  the  one  that  is  un- 
safe and  uncertain? 

Avoid,  also,  as  far  as  possible,  the  haunts  of 
intemperance,  and  the  company  of  the  habitual 
drinkers  of  intoxicating  liquor,  lest  you  become 
ensnared  by  their  evil  examples.  You  should 
give  no  countenance  to  the  custom  of  partaking 
of  intoxicating  drinks,  even  moderately ;  but 
should  bring  both  your  example  and  influence  to 
bear  against  a  practice  so  fraught  with  evil. 

Dishonesty  is  anotiier  temptation  that  besets 
the  pathway  of  young  men.  The  desire  for 
wealth  becomes,  in  many,  so  absorbing  and  un- 
controlled, that  they  violate  all  justice,  honesty 
and  virtue,  to  gratify  it.  In  your  business  trans 
actions,  many  temptations  will  beset  you  to  de- 
fraud your  neighbor  of  that  which  is  honestly  his. 
These  temptations  you  must  summon  all  your 

'  Except  where  administered  as  a  medicine  in  case  of 
sickness. 

12 


134 


TEMPTATIONS. 


energies  lo  withstand.  Adopt  it  as  your  motto 
through  life,  to  "render  unto  all  their  just  dues." 
There  never  was  a  maxim  more  true,  than  that 
"honesty  is  the  best  policy."  It  should  be  en- 
graven deeply  upon  the  heart  of  every  young 
man.  Whenever  temptations  to  be  fraudulent 
ayse,  let  them  be  repelled  by  the  truth  of  this  say- 
ing. Let  it  accompany  and  guide  you,  and  it 
will  keep  you  in  the  path  of  rectitude,  respecta- 
bility and  peace.  In  being  dishonest,  you  may, 
in  some  cases,  obtain  more  properly  than  you 
otherwise  would.  But  remember  that  every 
farthing  you  secure  in  this  dishonorable  manner, 
instead  of  making  you  more  wealthy,  detracts  just 
so  much  from  your  real  riches — from  your  avail- 
able means  to  make  yourself  hapj:)y.  Disiionesty, 
however  much  it  may  increase  your  wealth,  w^ill 
make  you  poorer  in  character,  poorer  in  peace, 
and  in  every  real  essential  to  human  enjoyment. 
True  happiness  consists  in  a  peaceful  and  con- 
tented mind ;  and  he  who  possesses  these  requi- 
sites to  the  highest  degree,  is,  indeed,  the  wealth- 
iest man  !  Can  ill  gotten  riches  bestow  this  en- 
joyment? As  well  may  you  take  coals  of  fire 
in  your  bosom,  and  not  be  burned.  Be  cautious 
to  have  all  your  dealings  characterized  by  strict 
honesty  and  integrity,  and  your  satisfaction  and 
"peace  shall  be  as  a  river." 

Another  temptation  is  described  in  the  fifth 
chapter  of  Proverbs.  Let  every  young  man  read 
tkat  chapter.     Its  declarations  are  words  of  truth 


TEMPTATIONS.  135 

and  soberness.  Let  them  be  believed  and  ad- 
hered to,  and  never  permitted  to  escape  from  your 
memory.  So  shall  you  be  saved  from  deep  deg- 
radation and  wo. 

These  are  a  few  of  the  many  temptations  which 
beset  young  men.  Guard  against  them  as  dead- 
ly foes  to  your  happiness.  Remember  that  vices 
assault  the  young  in  gangs.  Admitone  vice,  and 
it  will  exert  all  its  influence  to  make  way  for  an- 
other, and  another — increasing  in  strength  as  they 
multiply  in  numbers,  until  you  fall  a  prey  to  every 
species  of  iniquity  : 

"The  first  crime  passVl,  compels  us  into  more, 
And  guilt  gro\v3  fate,  that  was  but  choice  before." 

"With  many  persons,"  says   D'Argonne,  "  tho 
early  age  of  life  is  passed  in  sowing  in  their  minds 
the  vices  that  are  most  suitable  to  their  inclina- 
tions ;  and  the  middle  age  goes  on  in  nourishing 
and  maturing  these  vices  ;  and  the  last  age  con- 
cludes in  gathering  in  pain  and  anguish,  the  bit- 
ter fruit   of  these  wretched  seeds."      The  only 
safe  method  to  prevent  reaping  this  wretched  crop 
n  old  age,  is  to  avoid  sowing  the  seed  in  youth. 
jCt  the  seed  you  now  plant  in  the  moral  soil,  be 
emperance,  honesty  and  virtue,  and  in  advanced 
ears,  they  will  afford  you  a  harvest  of  respecta- 
•aility  and  ease. 


CHAPTER  III. 


THE    HABITS. 


Habit  is  the  cherishing  of  certain  emotions  and 
the  practicingof  certain  actions,  until  they  become 
a  second  nature.  It  has  justly  been  said  that 
"  man  is  a  bundle  of  habits."  From  early  infan- 
cy to  mature  manhood,  he  is  forming  habits  which 
will  more  or  less  influence  his  enjoyments  through 
life.  Youth,  in  this  respect,  is  a  most  important 
period.  When  the  young  man  has  arrived  at 
years  of  reflection,  and  has  become  capable  of 
meditating  seriously  on  his  future  plans,  then  is 
the  favorable  time,  when  the  mind  is  still  tender 
and  pliable,  to  correct  improper  habits  formed  in 
childhood,  and  to  lay  the  foundation  for  those 
useful  ones,  that  will  tend  greatly  to  his  future 
prosperity. 

That  it  is  all-important  for  young  men  to  look 
well  to  the  habits  they  are  now  forming,  is  a  po- 
sition so  evident,  that  little  exertion  is  necessary 
to  establish  it.  What  enabled  Franklin,  the  poor 
printer-boy,  to  arrive  to  an  eminence  which  none 
in  modern  ages    have   surpassed?     It  was   the 

136 


TUE    HABITS.  137 

acquisition  in  iiis  youth,  of  habits  of  industry, 
economy,  perseverance,  and  patient  research. 
Why  does  one  man  ascend  from  obscurity  and 
indigence  to  fame  and  wealth,  despite  all  obstruc- 
tions, wh.-fe  another  commences  life  surrounded 
by  every  advantage  Jhat  riches  and  influential 
friends  can  bestow,  and  yet  sinks  into  insignifi- 
cance and  poverty  !  This  diversity  is  mainly 
caused  by  the  difference  in  the  formation  of  their 
habits.  The  one  depended  upon  his  own  pow- 
ers and  exertions,  and  laid  the  foundation  of  his 
prosperity,  by  acquiring  industrious,  persevering, 
and  economical  habits — the  other,  relying  upon 
his  expected  wealth  or  influential  friends,  failed 
to  qualify  himself  for  any  useful  arocation,  and 
loaded  himself  with  habits  of  indolence,  careless- 
ness, and  prodigality. 

Young  men  can  cause  their  habits  to  become 
of  whatever  character  they  resolve.  Firmly  de- 
termine to  be  frugal,  industrious,  and  temperate, 
and  you  easily  become  so.  A  Cesar,  a  Napoleon, 
a  Washington,  a  Cicero,  a  Canning,  a  Brougham, 
a  Wirt,  could  never  have  arrived  at  their  celeb- 
rity, had  they  not  framed  the  outlines  of  their 
career  in  youth,  and  formed  habits  which  ena- 
bled them  to  fill  up  these  outlines  with  so  much 
success.  Youthful  habits,  as  was  remarked  in 
the  preceding  chapter,  are  the  seed  of  a  crop 
which  must  be  reaped  in  after  life.  If  your  seed 
be  of  the  true  kind — if  you  obtain  habits  of  ac- 
tivity, perseverance,  and  economy — your  crop 
12* 


138  TU£    HABITS. 

Will  be  bouniilul  and  gratifylDg.  But  if  your 
habits  be  the  reverse,  your  harvest  will  be  of  a 
corresponding  character. 

"Habits  are  easily  formed — especially  such  as 
are  bad  ;  and  what  to-day  seems  to  be  a  small 
affair,  will  soon  become  fixed,  and  hold  you  with 
the  strength  of  a  cable.  That  same  cable,  you 
will  recollect,  is  formed  by  spinning  and  twisting 
one  thread  at  a  time ;  but  when  once  completed, 
the  proudest  ship  turns  her  head  towards  it,  and 
acknowledges  her  subjection  to  its  power.  Habits 
of  some  kind  will  be  formed  by  every  youth.  He 
v;ill  have  a  particular  course,  in  which  his  time, 
his  employments,  his  thoughts  and  feelings  will 
run.  Good  or  bad,  these  habits  soon  become  a 
part  of  himself,  and  a  kind  of  social  nature.  Who 
does  not  know,  that  the  old  man  who  has  occupi- 
ed a  particular  corner  of  the  old  fire-place,  in  the 
old  house,  for  sixty  years,  may  be  rendered 
wretched  by  a  change?  Who  has  not  read  of 
the  release  of  the  aged  prisoner  of  the  Bastile, 
who  entreated  that  he  might  again  return  to  his 
gloomy  dungeon,  because  his  habits  there  formed 
were  so  strong  that  his  nature  threatened  to  sink 
under  the  attempt  to  break  them  up?  You  will 
probably  find  no  man  of  forty,  who  has  not  habits 
■which  he  laments,  which  mar  his  usefulness,  but 
■which  are  so  inwoven  with  his  very  being,  that 
he  cannot  break  through  them.  At  least  he  has 
not  the  courage  to  try."* 

♦Student's  Manual. 


THE    HABITS.  139 

In  order  to  be  useful  to  yourself  and  your  fel- 
low-beings, it  is  necessary  that  you  enter  upon 
some  profession  or  cccupatioii.  Even  the  most 
wealthy,  should  not  be  without  a  definite  calling. 
Riches  the  most  immense,  often '-  lake  wings  and 
fly  away" — and  when  he  who  is  thus  dispossess- 
ed of  them,  is  without  an  occupation,  his  condi- 
tion in  such  circumstances,  is  truly  deplorable. 
The  occupation  or  profession,  should  be  chosen 
in  accordance  with  the  abilities,  taste,  and  cir- 
cumstances of  each  individual — remembering 
that  all  honest  and  useful  employments  are  alike 
honorable.  It  is,  however,  far  better  to  be  a  good 
mechanic  or  agriculturist,  than  a  poor  profession- 
al man — it  is  more  desirable  to  be  in  the  respec- 
table class  of  the  former,  than  in  the  lowest  grades 
of  the  latter. 

The  habits  necessary  to  insure  success  and 
respectability,  are  many.  I  will  enumerate  a  few 
of  the  most  prominent. 

Industry  is  one  of  the  most  necessary  and  use- 
ful of  (he  habits.  Says  St.  Paul—"  This  we 
commanded  you,  that  if  any  would  not  work,  nei- 
ther should  he  eat."  It  is  the  first  law  of  our 
nature,  that  every  true  comfort  we  enjoy,  must 
be  purchased  by  exertion.  And  it  is  a  law  equal- 
ly well  established,  that  all  well  directed  indus- 
try, shall  receive  an  ample  remuneration  in  health 
and  vigor.  Of  all  habits  that  fetter  human  pow- 
ers, indolence  is  the  most  unmanly  and  debasing. 
Every  thing  around  you — the  earth,  air  and  wa- 


140  THE    HABITS. 

ter — the  insect,  fowl  and  beast — all  exhibit  un- 
tiring industry,  and  cry  out  "  shame  !"  against  the 
human  being  who  will  suffer  his  capabilities  to 
stagnate  in  the  sluggish  pool  of  indolence.  Of 
what  value  is  an  indolent  man  to  himself  or  the 
world  ?  He  is  good  for  nothing,  and  worse  than 
useless — is  a  burthen  to  himself  and  a  pest  to  so- 
ciety, and  those  connected  with  him.  He  can  not 
be  said  to  exist — he  but  vegetates,  as  the  weed  of 
the  garden  ;  and  as  the  weed,  he  is  disrespected 
through  life,  and  at  death  is  forgotten  ! 

''  Go  to  the  ant,  thou  sluggard  :  consider  her 
ways  and  be  wise."  This  little  insect  furnishes 
a  useful  lesson  to  every  man  of  indolence.  With 
a  prudent  foresight,  she  industriously  "provideth 
her  meat  in  the  summer,  and  gathercth  her  food 
in  the  harvest."  And  when  the  snows  and  frosts 
of  Winter  arrive,  they  find  her  fully  provided  with 
comforts  to  sustain  her  until  the  return  of  Spring. 
But  the  indolent  man  has  even  less  wisdom  and 
foresight  than  the  ant.  With  him  the  future  is 
all  unprovided  for;  and  in  an  unexpected  hour, 
want,  as  an  armed  man,  seizes  him  in  its  bony 
embrace  !  As  a  punishment,  God  has  entailed 
sickness,  imbecility,  unhappmess,  and  premature 
death,  on  the  indolent.  For  what  purpose  were 
our  bodies  supplied  with  joints,  sinews,  and 
muscles,  but  to  be  exerted  in  industrious  occupa- 
tion ? 

The  benefits  arising  from  habits  of  industry, 
are   numerous.      Industry    is   the   most   fruitful 


THE    HABITS.  141 

source  of  that  highest  of  bodily  enjoyments, 
heallJu  A  due  exercise  of  the  bodily  and  mental 
functions,  are  prolific  sources  of  earthly  happiness. 
Activity  opens  streams  of  enjoyment,  that  would 
otherwise  be  clogged  by  indolence,  and  generate 
discontent  and  pain.  Let  the  truth  settle  deep 
into  every  mind,  that  health  can  not  long  be  en- 
joyed without  industry.  It  would  minister  far 
more  to  the  enjoyment  of  the  man  of  wealth,  to 
go  out  with  the  sturdy  woodsman,  and  make  the 
forest  resound  with  the  blows  of  his  axe,  or  to 
engage  in  some  other  stirring  avocation,  than  re- 
cline into  the  Delilahan  lap  of  luxury,  to  be  shorn 
of  his  strength  and  energy,  and  to  resort  to  nos- 
trums to  support  a  constitution  filled  by  indolence 
with  the  prolific  seeds  of  disease  I  It  is  a  good 
proverb,  that  "  we  had  better  wear  out  than  rust 
out."  For  this  wearing  out,  as  it  is  termed,  is 
indeed  the  prolonging  of  life  and  health  ;  but 
rusting  out  is  a  living  death.  To  secure  health, 
individuals  of  sedentary  occupation,  should  labor 
or  exercise  more  or  less,  every  day,  in  the  open 
air.*  The  correctness  of  this  rule  is  constantly 
becoming  more  and  more  apparent.  "  Pray,  of 
what  did  your  brother  die?"  said  the  Marquis  ot 
Spinola  to  Sir  Horace  Vere.  "  He  died,  Sir," 
replied  he,  "of  having  nothing  to  do.^^  "  Alas, 
Sir,"  said  Spinola,  "  that  is  enough  to  kill  any 
general  of  us  all."      The  Turks  have  a  proverb, 

♦See Combe  on  the  Constitution  of  man— chap,  iij 
■ec.  7. 


142  THE    HABIT3. 

that  "  a  husy  man  is  troubled  with  but  one  devil ; 
but  the  idle  man,  with  a  thousand," 

Industry  is  one  of  the  most  certain  means  of 
obtaining  wealth.  Although  all  industrious  men 
do  not  become  wealthy,  yet  comparatively  few 
ever  arose  from  indigence  to  wealth,  without  this 
qualification.  And  in  this  land  of  equality,  it  is 
the  only  safe  basis  upon  which  to  rest  your  an- 
ticipations of  acquiring  property.  Making  some 
*•  lucky  hit,"  by  which  a  fortune  is  acquired  at 
once,  is  a  chance  that  occurs  but  to  a  small  num- 
ber; and  if  you  wait  in  indolence  for  such  an 
opportunity,  you  will  undoubtedly  pass  through 
life  in  poverty.  The  greater  proportion  of  the 
wealthy  in  this  country,  acquired  their  property 
by  assiduous  industry.  And  I  repeat,  that  this 
is  the  only  proper  resource  upon  which  to  de- 
pend to  acquire  riches.  Industry  ranks  among 
the  best  recommendations  a  young  man  can  pos- 
sess. He  who  has  this  qualification,  can  not 
want  for  employment,  assistance,  or  friends. 
The  industrious  youth,  whose  other  habits  are 
good,  will  always  be  respected,  patronized  and 
encouraged.  But  indolence,  even  though  con- 
nected with  many  good  habits,  invariably  inspires 
disrespect  and  disgust. 

Let  every  young  man,  then,  firmly  resolve  to 
establish  a  habit  of  industry.  With  it,  he  can 
rationally  hope  to  be  almost  every  thing  great 
and  good— to  obtain  every  thing  proper,  and  to 
enjoy   <8very    thing   consistent    with  virtue   and 


THE    HABITS,  143 

propriety.  But  without  it,  even  though  he  may 
iulierit  wealth,  he  can  rationally  anticipate  noth- 
ing but  ill  health,  abasement  and  Avretchedness. 

Perseverance,  is  another  habit  which  young 
men  should  acquire. — This  habit  must  be  long 
cultivated,  before  it  can  be  fully  obtained.  Pa- 
rents should  be  aware  that  a  training  for  it,  can 
profitably  be  commenced  even  in  childhood.  In 
his  infantile  undertakings,  the  child  can  be  in- 
fluenced to  persevere  until  hi«  designs  are  accom- 
plished. And  in  all  the  doings  of  youth,  pains 
should  be  taken  to  induce  them  to  avoid  fickle- 
ness of  purpose,  and  to  infuse  into  their  minds, 
a  spirit  of  unwearied  perseverance.  This  will 
soon  grow  into  a  habit,  the  beneficial  influences 
of  which  will  be  realized  through  life. 

A  habit  of  perseverance  well  adhered  to,  will 
accomplish  the  most  surprising  results.  Through 
its  influence,  Napoleon  was  enabled  to  scale 
"  the  cloud-clapped  Alps" — Franklin  to  become 
one  of  the  eminent  philosophers  of  the  world — 
and  Clinton  to  accomplish  one  of  the  most  splen- 
did projects  of  modern  ages.  The  beautiful 
islands  of  the  Pacific  are  but  immense  coraZ 
reefs,  raised  from  unknown  depths,  by  the  per 
severance  of  minute  insects,  who  carry  but  one 
grain  of  sand  at  a  time.  It  is  related  of  the  eel 
ebrated  conqueror,  Timour  the  Tartar,  that  upoi) 
an  occasion  of  adverse  fortune,  he  was  compelled 
to  secrete  himself  from  his  pursuers  in  a  ruined 
building.— While  in  this  condition,  as  he  was? 


144  THE    HABITS. 

ruminating  upon  liis  ill  fortune,  he  espied  an 
ant,  sedulously  engnged  in  efforts  to  carry  a  ker- 
nel of  grain,  larger  than  itself,  up  a  high  wall. 
For  a  long  time  its  efforts  were  unavailing.  Still 
at  every  defeat,  would  it  renew  its  exertions 
with  unabated  energy  and  perseverance.  Sixty- 
nine  times  did  it  essay  to  perform  this  feat,  and 
and  as  often  failed.  But  the  seventieth  lime," 
the  industrious  insect  succeeded  in  gaining  the 
top  of  the  wall  wiiii  its  prize.  "  The  sight," 
said  the  conqueror,  "gave  me  courage  at  the  mo- 
ment, and  I  have  never  forgotten  the  lesson  it 
conveyed." 

The  example  of  the  ant,  is  worthy  of  all  imi- 
tation. Let  your  plans  be  deliberately  and  ma- 
turely formed — see  that  they  are  honest  and  hon- 
orable— and  then  let  "  Perseverance"  be  your 
watchword,  and  you  will  seldom  fail  of  success. 
"  I  can't,"  never  accomplished  any  thing.  "  Col. 
Miller,"  said  Gen.  Ripley,  at  the  battle  of  Niag- 
ara, "  can  you  carry  that  battery  ?"  "  Gen.  Rip- 
ley, I  will  try  !"  was  the  laconic  reply.  At  the 
head  of  his  gallant  regiment,  he  tried,  and  by  uni- 
ting bravery  with  perseverance,  succeeded  in  re- 
pulsing the  foe  and  carrying  the  battery.  "  I 
will  try,"  has  accomplished  wonders  in  the  world. 
When  the  habit  of  perseverance  stands  by  you, 
as  a  handmaid,  to  ler.d  her  assistance,  you  can 
safely  calculate  upon  a  favorable  result  in  all 
your  reasonable  operations ;  but  without  this  de- 
cirable  qualification,  you  may  commence  a  thou- 


THE    HABITS.  145 

fiand  projects,  and  fail  in  all.  When  a  proper 
business  is  fairly  undertaken,  or  a  resolution 
formed,  persevere  in  its  pursuit — bend  all  th« 
energies  of  your  mind  to  its  service,  and  let  no 
common  inducement  swerve  you  into  another 
track.  "  A  young  man  who  had  wasted  his  pat- 
rimony by  profligacy,  whilst  standing,  one  day, 
on  the  brow  of  a  precipice  from  which  he  had 
determined  to  throw  himself,  formed  the  sudden 
resolution  to  regain  what  he  had  lost.  The  pur- 
pose thus  formed,  was  kept  and  persevered  in  j 
and  though  he  began  by  shovelling  a  load  of 
coal  into  a  cellar,  for  which  he  only  received 
twelve  and  a  half  cents,  yet  he  proceeded  from 
one  step  to  another,  till  he  more  than  recovered 
his  lost  possessions,  and  died  worth  sixty  thousand 
pounds  sterling." 

A  well  directed  perseverance  in  a  laudable  de- 
termination, will  insure  success  against  many 
disadvantages.  It  will  overcome  obscurity  of 
birth,  the  want  of  fortune,  and  of  wealthy  and 
influential  friends.  A  case  in  point,  occurred 
under  the  observation  of  the  writer.  I  remem- 
ber well  that  antiquated  school-house,  in  a  small 
hamlet,  at  the  north-western  part  of  the  State  of 
New-York.  The  teacher  procured  a  silver  med- 
al, and  suspended  it  at  his  desk  in  sight  of  the 
school,  with  the  annunciation  that  at  the  end  of 
the  term,  it  should  be  the  prize  of  the  scholar 
who  should  excel.  A  spirit  of  eager  riv|ilry  was 
awakened  in  the  school — all  strived  assiduously 
13 


]4d  THE    HABITS  < 

10  gain  the  glittering  reward.  But  the  eye  of 
memory  rests  particularly  upon  two  lads  of  near- 
ly an  equal  age,  who  bore  the  most  prominent 
part  in  this  intellectual  strife.  The  dispari- 
ty in  their  circumstances  was  striking.  Tlie 
one,  the  son  of  a  man  of  wealth  and  high  stand- 
ing in  that  community,  was  promised  additional 
rewards  by  his  relatives,  did  he  secure  the  prize. 
The  father  of  the  other  was  poor — all  he  possess- 
ed was  honesty  and  industry — and  to  the  son,  no 
other  inducement  could  be  held  out,  but  the  prize 
itself  and  the  honor  of  obtaining  it.  And  this 
was  sufficient  to  fire  his  ambition.  The  son  of 
poverty  formed  a  fixed  determination  that  the 
medal  should  be  his.  He  applied  himself  to 
study  with  the  most  indomitable  perseverance — 
nothing  could  divert  his  attention,  or  thwart  his 
purpose.  His  efforts  resulted  in  complete  suc- 
cess— his  industry  and  perseverance  'met  their 
certain  reward.  He  was  crowned  victor;  and 
with  the  blushes  of  boyhood,  received  the  envied 
prize !  In  this  instance,  perseverance  accom- 
plished what  wealth  could  not. 

Let  us  trace  the  history  of  these  lads  a  little 
farther.  After  living  side  by  side,  engaged  in  the 
same  sports  and  amusements,  a  few  years  after 
the  incident  above  related,  they  parted.  The 
son  of  the  man  of  wealth,  entered  higher  semi- 
naries, to  obtain  the  advantages  of  a  more  ex- 
tended education ;  while  the  other  was  put  to  a 
mechanical  occupation.     It  was  then  that  the 


THE    HABITS.  147 

latter  first  felt  with  force,  the  disparity  in  the  gift* 
of  fortune — first  sensibly  realized  the  evils  of 
poverty.  While  he  was  engaged  in  laborious 
business,  as  a  means  of  subsistence,  his  early 
companion  was  expanding  his  mind  with  the 
lights  of  literature  and  science,  with  every  pros- 
pect of  occupying  a  station  in  life,  as  superior  to 
the  other  as  were  his  advantages.  But  the  poor 
lad,  notwithstanding  his  adverse  circumstan- 
ces, was  not  disposed  to  remain  in  obscurity. 
He  firmly  resolved  to  make  every  exertion  in  his 
power,  to  arise  above  the  disadvantages  of  birth 
and.  indigence.  He  summoned  Industry  and 
Perseverance  to  be  his  hand-maids,  in  the  career 
he  had  marked  out  and  determined  to  pursue. 
Every  effort  was  put  forth — every  means  of  im- 
provement within  his  reach,  was  diligently  used — 
and  every  possible  advantage  secured.  Nor  were 
his  efforts  unavailing,  or  his  labors  fruitless. 
Success,  beyond  his  most  sanguine  anticipations, 
attended  him.  And  now,  at  tlie  penning  of  these 
lines,  he  occupies  a  station  in  one  of  the  most  en- 
lightened communities  of  the  world,  which,  while 
requiring  far  more  talent,  is  as  elevated,  as  re- 
spectable and  honorable,  as  that  filled  by  the 
wealthy  companion  of  his  childhood  !  These 
'jircumstances  are  not  narrated  to  cast  any  dis- 
paragement upon  the  latter.  His  course  thus  far 
in  life,  has  been  prosperous  and  honorable.  He 
occupies  a  station  which  none  can  obtain,  but 
those  well  skilled  in  his  profession.    But  they 


148  TRB    HABITS. 

are  adverted  to,  solely  to  convince  young  men, 
that  enlightened  perseverance  can  overcome  al- 
most every  obstacle  in  an  honorable  career. 

Faithfulness  is  a  habit  which  the  young  should 
cultivate.  What  more  desirable  qualification 
can  a  young  man  possess,  than  faithfulness  to 
his  employers,  in  the  discharge  of  all  business 
and  interest  entrusted  to  his  disposal.  Once 
let  a  young  man  obtain  the  name  of  being  faith- 
ful in  all  the  duties  and  obligations  resting  upon 
him,  and  he  secures  the  confidence  of  the  whole 
community.  But  once  let  it  be  known  that  he  is 
faithless^  and  all  trust  in  him  is  destroyed,  and 
his  character  receives  a  fatal  blow. 

Have  you  business  to  transact  ?  Do  it  faith- 
fully, if  your  own  ;  and  especially  so,  if  it  is 
confided  to  you  by  others.  Have  you  work  to 
perform  ?  Let  it  be  done  faithfully — as  near 
what  you  contracted  to  do,  and  as  near  what  it 
appears  to  be,  as  possible.  Avoid  all  deception 
in  regard  to  these  things.  A  mechanic  or  a 
merchant  very  much  mistakes  his  interest,  who 
slights  his  work,  or  palms  cflf  his  goods  for  what 
they  really  are  not.  Such  men  rr.aygain  a  few 
dollars  in  the  outset,  by  pursuing  this  deceptive 
course ;  but  a  just  and  speedy  retribution  awaits 
them.  Their  deceptions  are  soon  discovered — 
their  dishonesty  is  laid  bare — and  an  indignant 
community  will  withhold  all  farther  patronage 
and  encouragement. 

"A  Mahratta  Prince,   in   passing  through  a 


THE    HABITS.  149' 

certain  apariment,  one  day,  discovered  one  of  hh 
servants  asleep,  with  his  master's  slippers  clasp- 
ed so  lightly  to  his  breast,  that  he  was  unable  to 
disengage  them.  Struck  with  the  fact,  and  con- 
cluding at  once  that  a  person  who  was  so  jeal- 
ously careful  of  a  trifle,  could  not  fail  to  be  faith- 
ful when  entrusted  with  a  thing  of  importance, 
he  appointed  him  a  member  of  his  body  guard. 
The  result  proved  that  the  prince  was  not  mis- 
taken. Rising  in  office,  step  by  step,  the  young 
man  soon  became  the  most  distinguished  milita- 
ry commander  in  Mahratta ;  and  his  fame  ulti- 
mately spread  throughout  India."  Thus  faith- 
fulness will  ever  gain  confidence,  and  is  one 
of  the  most  essential  ingredients  in  securing 
respect  and  prosperity.  Be  faithful,  then — faith- 
ful in  all  you  do,  even  in  the  most  trivial  things — 
and  a  certain  reward  awaits  you. 

Punctuality  is  another  habit  which  should 
not  be  overlooked.  This  habit  can  easily  be 
formed,  but  more  easily  neglected.  Begin  while 
young,  to  be  punctual  in  your  occupation  and 
in  all  your  business  transactions,  and  it  will 
soon  become  a  habit  that  will  sit  easily  upon 
you,  and  save  you  from  many  perplexing  diffi- 
culties. A  man  who  is  punctual  in  fulfilling  all 
his  engagements,  and  in  discharging  all  his  re- 
sponsibilities, has  many  facilities  and  advanta- 
ges offered  him  by  the  business  community,  that 
are  denied  those  who  are  known  to  be  slack  and 
neglectful.  The  credit  of  the  former  stands 
13* 


190  THC    BABIT9. 

far  higher  than  that  of  the  latter,  although  his 
means  may  not  be  as  ample.  '•  Procrastination 
is  the  thief  of  time,"  and  the  stumbling-block 
to  prosperity.  "If  I  had  been  there  but  a  mo- 
ment sooner ."     But  you  might  have  been 

there,  had  the  spirit  of  punctuality  stirred  with- 
in you.  "  Do  at  once,  what  at  once  ought  to  be 
done.  Let  not  the  season  of  action  he  spent  in 
hesitancy.  Do  not  let  to-morrow  be  perpetually 
the  time  when  every  thing  is  to  be  done."  "  A 
time  for  every  thing,  and  every  thing  in  its  lime — 
a  place  for  every  thing,  and  every  thing  in  its 
place."  These  are  maxims  that  should  be  en- 
graven upon  the  tablet  of  every  young  man's 
memory.  There  is  no  truth  more  certain,  than 
that  if  you  do  not  drive  your  business,  your 
business  will  drive  you.  He  who  drives  his 
business  has  every  thing  done  promptly  and  cor- 
rectly, and  still  has  leisure  at  his  disposal ; 
while  the  individual  who  is  driven  by  his  busi- 
ness, is  constantly  hurried  and  perplexed — his 
hffairs  are  in  confusion,  and  often  suffer  for  want 
of  attention — for  what  is  done  in  a  hurry,  is 
generally  ill  done.  Study,  then,  to  be  punctu- 
al, prompt,  and  methodical  in  all  your  affairs. 
Punctuality  is  the  "  fly-wheel"  which  gives  stead  • 
iness  and  precision  to  all  the  machinery  of  busi- 
ness. 

Early  Rising  is  a  habit  that  should  be  sedu- 
lously cultivated.  This  habit  is  conducive  to 
health,  to  longevity,  and  to  prosperity.     When 


THE    HAB1T3.  151 

your  avocations  commence  with  the  opening 
light  of  morning,  it  gives  every  thing  a  for- 
ward impulse  that  can  be  felt  throughout  the 
day.  But  let  the  sun  commence  his  daily  work 
long  before  you  leave  the  bed,  and  all  things 
drag  as  though  a  spell  rested  upon  them.  "A 
sluggard  takes  an  hundred  steps,  because  he 
would  not  take  one  in  due  time."  Sum  up  the 
hours  that  are,  by  many  people,  needlessly  spent 
in  bed,  and  they  will  amount  to  years  in  a  long 
life.  Napoleon,  in  the  midst  of  his  triumphs, 
allowed  himself  but  four  hours  sleep  in  the 
twenty-four.  This  untiring  application  to  busi- 
ness, was  undoubtedly  one  secret  of  his  extraor- 
dinary success.  There  is  v/isdom  in  the  prov- 
erb of  Solomon — "Yet  a  little  sleep,  a  little 
slumber,  a  little  folding  of  the  hands  to  sleep; 
so  shall  thy  poverty  come  as  one  that  travellefh, 
and  thy  want  as  an  armed  man."  Experience 
testifies  to  the  truth  of  this  declaration,  that  in- 
dolence is  the  cause  of  poverty  and  want.  Let 
the  young  take  heed  of  this  danger  and  avoid  it. 
Let  the  words  of  the  wise  man  be  called  vividly 
to  mind  on  retiring  to  rest,  and  with  due  reflection, 
they  will  arouse  you  with  the  dawning  light  of 
morning. 

Economy  is  not,  by  far,  the  least  in  importance 
among  the  habits  to  be  commended  to  youth. 
It  needs  no  argument  to  show  that  a  spend- 
thrift must,  ere  long,  necessarily  be  involved  in 
poverty       The  young  man  who  expends  in  use- 


152  THE  HABrrs. 

less  amusements  or  sinful  follies,  all  he  earns, 

of  course  can  lay  up  nothing  to  commence  busi- 
ness for  himself,  or  to  provide  for  future  misfor- 
tunes or  wants.  And  such  an  one  can  hardly 
hope  for  assistance  in  pecuniary  mailers.  The 
confidence  of  community  is  wanting ;  and  when 
that  is  gone,  all  is  gone.  And  he  who  spends 
more  than  his  income,  will  soon  become  in- 
volved in  toils  which  it  will  be  difficult  to  es- 
cape. 

The  necessity  of  economy  is  acknowledged 
by  all ;  but  with  too  many,  especially  the  young, 
it  is  one  thing  to  make  this  acknowledgment, 
but  another  and  quite  different  thing,  to  prac- 
tice in  accordance  with  it.  It  is  not  very  diffi- 
cult to  take  care  of  whatever  large  sums  we 
may  possess,  but  it  is  a  work  of  greater  care 
to  economize  the  smaller  sums.  Hence  the 
propriety  of  the  maxim — "  take  care  of  the  shil- 
lings, and  the  pounds  will  take  care  of  them- 
selves." A  man  that  is  truly  economical,  will 
become  rich  in  saving  what  another  deems  too 
little  to  deserve  care.  "  A  penny  saved,  is  two 
pence  earned,"  was  one  of  the  trite  sayings  of 
Dr.  Franklin ;  and  in  practicing  it,  he  became 
wealthy. 

Every  young  man  should  study  economy,  in  all 
his  expenditures.  A  trifling  sura  squandered 
every  day,  soon  amounts  to  an  aggregate  of  im- 
portance. How  many  are  there  in  the  middle 
and  advanced  stages  of  life,  who,  could  they  have 


THE    HABITS.  H^ 

what  they  heedlessly  and  uselessly  spent  in. 
youth,  would  be  saved  from  ruin  and  want.  The 
young  should  remember  that  every  farthing 
"which  they  expend  unnecessarily,  will  cause  them 
to  he  so  much  poorer  through  life.  I  would  not 
inculcate  a  parsimonious,  miserly  disposition.  I 
would  have  the  young  generous  and  liberal  in  all 
their  conduct.  But  there  is  a  vast  distinction  be- 
tween the  liberal  man  and  the  spendthrift.  True 
economy  is  not  opposed  to  expenditures  for  all 
that  is  necessary  fully  to  supply  your  own  wants, 
and  to  satisfy  the  claims  of  charity,  benevolence, 
generosity,  justice,  and  the  public  welfare.  But 
farther  than  this  it  forbids  your  proceeding.  It 
calls  upon  you  to  husband  your  means  careful- 
ly, and  to  avoid  all  sinful,  frivolous,  and  use- 
less expenses.  If  young  men  desire  to  obtain 
a  competency,  this  is  the  only  safe  method  to 
secure  it. 

Young  men  should  also  be  economical  of  time. 
"Time  is  money,"  says  Dr.  Franklin.  An  hour 
or  a  day  needlessly  idled  away,  is  so  much  money 
taken  from  your  pocket.  Let  all  your  time  be 
occupied  usefully.  Your  leisure  hours  should 
not  be  idle  hours.  A  useful  book,  or  other  pub- 
lication— the  conversation  of  select  friends — the 
obtaining  in  any  proper  manner  of  valuable  infor- 
mation— should  occupy  those  hours  not  devoted 
to  business.  Men  who  have  distinguished  them- 
selves in  the  world,  have  always  been  economiial 
pf  time.     One  of  the  most  industrious  men  in 


154  THE    HABITS. 

England,  is  Lord  Brougham.  He  often  does  not 
Icavp  til"  House  of  Lords  until  midnight,  and  yet 
he  always  rises  by  four  o'clock,  A.  M.  And  by 
thus  husbanding  his  time,  he  has  been  enabled  to 
attend  to  a  greater  diversity  of  interests,  and  to 
despatch  a  greater  amount  of  business,  than  any- 
other  individual  of  the  present  age.  Dr.  Cotton 
Mather,  to  prevent  his  time  from  being  wasted  too 
much  by  visitors,  placed  in  large  characters  over 
the  door  of  his  study,  the  motto — '•  be  brief." 
Professor  Vorsinus,  of  the  University  of  Heidel- 
berg, for  the  same  purpose,  wrote  over  the  door 
of  his  library — "  Whoever  thou  art  that  enlerest 
here,  be  brief,  or  get  you  gone?^  Scaliger,  pro- 
fessor of  the  Belles-Lettres,  at  Leyden,  whom 
his  friends  denominated  "an  ocean  of  science." 
and  "  the  master-piece  of  nature,"  inscribed  on 
the  door  of  his  study  :  "  Tem-pus  meum  est  agar 
meus,^^  (My  time  is  my  field.)  "  Sire,  one  word," 
said  a  soldier  one  day,  to  Frederick  the  Great, 
on  presenting  a  lieutenant's  commission  for  his 
signature.  "  If  you  utter  two,^^  said  the  indus- 
trious prince,  "I  will  cause  you  to  be  hung  up  by 
the  heels."  '*  Sign,"  said  the  soldier.  The 
monarch,  astonished  at  his  presence  of  mind, 
granted  his  request.  Let  young  men  cultivate 
such  habits  of  economy  in  lime,  and  in  after 
years  they  will  realize  the  beneficial  fruits  of 
their  wisdom. 

Temperance. — The  evils  of  intemperance,  I 
have  already  adverted  to  in  a   former  chapter. 


THE   HABITS.  139 

Habits  of  temperance  are  of  the  utmost  utility  to 
health,  usefulness,  and  success  in  business.  And 
here  I  would  repeat  that  temperance  in  drink,  is 
entire  abstinence  from  intoxicating  liquors  of 
every  character.  Adopt  this  judicious  rule,  and 
you  are  entirely  absolved  from  all  danger  of  be- 
coming engulfed  in  the  wretchedness  and  ruin 
of  the  habitual  drunkard.  But  if  you  overstep 
this  line,  and  become  what  is  sometimes  termed 
the  temperate  drinker,  you  are  exposed  to  immi- 
nent danger  ;  and  the  chances  are  greatly  against 
you,  that  you  will  ere  long  be  involved  in  the 
deepest  evils  of  intemperance.  The  only  way 
to  he  insured  against  intemperance  and  its  woes, 
is  to  avoid  the  commencement  of  the  evil,  by  re- 
fraining wholly  from  all  intoxicating  drinks  as  a 
beverage  ! 

It  is  also  necessary  to  acquire  habits  of  tem- 
perance in  regard  to  food.  In  the  Scriptures  the 
glutton  and  the  drunkard  are  ranked  upon  nearly 
the  same  level  j  and  so  heinous  were  these  habits 
considered  by  the  Israelites,  that  they  punished 
those  guilty  of  them,  by  stoning  to  death.  Glut- 
tony is  a  vile  and  low  habit,  and  assimilates  its 
victims  far  too  near  the  nature  of  the  swine.  It  is 
the  fruitful  source  of  the  most  painful  diseases, 
and  leads  to  a  premature  grave.  Let  every  young 
person  avoid  it  as  they  value  respectability  and 
comfort — for  it  is  highly  destructive  to  both. 
Read  the  words  of  Ecclesiasticus — "  Eat  mod- 
e&tly  that  which  is  set  before  thee,  and  devour 


Ii6  THE    HABlTt. 

ttot,  lest  thou  be  hated.  When  thou  sitlest 
amon^  many,  reach  not  thy  hand  out  first  of  all. 
A  wholesome  sleep  cometh  of  a  temperate 
belly.  Such  a  man  riseth  up  in  the  morn- 
ing, and  is  well  at  ease  with  himself.  Be 
not  too  hasty  of  meats:  for  excess  of  meats 
bringeth  sickness,  and  choleric  diseases  cometh 
of  gluttony.'* 

Temperance  also  forbids  the  use  of  tobacco,  in 
any  form  or  manner.  Those  who  urge  the  pro- 
priety of  temperance  in  drink,  and  yet  use  that 
nauseous  weed,  are  inconsistent — they  are  tem- 
perate in  one  respect,  but  intemperate  in  another ; 
they  abjure  one  evil  and  cling  to  another.  The 
man  who  lectures  publicly  against  intoxicating 
drinks,  with  his  mouth  loaded  with  filthy  tobac- 
co, or  his  nostrils  filled  with  snulT,  furnishes  a 
most  beautiful  commentary  on  consistency  and 
propriety  !  In  the  great  majority  of  cases,  to 
those  who  use  tobacco,  it  is  not  only  useless  and 
uncalled  for,  but  it  is  absolutely  injurious  to 
health  and  appearance.  And  it  is  now  becoming 
generally  believed,  that  tobacco  is  not  necessary 
to  health  in  any  case — or,  in  other  words,  that  in 
those  few  instances  where  it  has  been  considered 
beneficial,  health  and  soundness  can  be  procured 
much  better  by  another  course  of  treatment.  It 
is  estimated  that  in  the  United  States,  $10,000,000 
are  annually  expended  in  the  consumption  of  to- 
bacco! Were  this  enormous  sum,  which  is  now 
worse  than  thrown  away,  to  be  applied  to  internal 


THE  HABITS.  mm 

improrements,  or  to  the  education  of  the  people, 
how  immense  would  be  the  benellts  that  would 
flow  therefrom. 

"  If  you  have  erer  learned  to  chew  or  smoTce 
that  Indian  weed,  called  tobacco,  1  beg  that  you 
will  at  once  drop  all,  cleanse  your  mouth,  and 
never  again  defile  yourself  with  it.  Let  a  man  be 
thrown  from  a  shipwreck  upon  a  desert  island, 
and  in  a  state  of  starvation,  and  he  would  rather 
die  than  to  eat  this  weed,  though  the  island  might 
be  covered  with  it;  and  no  youth  can  use  it, 
either  in  chewing,  smoking,  or  snuffing,  without 
decided  and  permanent  injury  to  his  appearance 
and  health,  and  progress  in  study.  When  the 
fashion  was  so  strong  in  England,  that  James  I. 
could  get  no  one  to  preach  against  it,  his  own 
royal  hand  took  the  pen  and  wrote  a  treatise  which 
he  denominates  'A  Counterblast  to  Tobacco? 
The  strength  of  his  princely  antidote  may  be 
gathered  from  the  following  closing  paragraph 
of  this  royal  counterblast :  '  It  is  a  custom  loathe- 
some  to  the  eye,  hateful  to  the  nose,  harmful  ta 
the  brain,  dangerous  to  the  lungs,  and  in  the 

black fume   thereof,   nearest    resemhling  the 

horrible  Stygian  smoke  of  the  pit  that  is  bot- 
tomless.' All  experienced  people  will  tell  you 
that  the  habit  of  using  tobacco,  in  any  shape, 
will  render  you  emaciated  and  consumptive, 
your  nerves  shattered,  your  spirits  low  and 
moody,  your  throat  dry,  and  demanding  stimu- 
lating drinks,  your  person  filthy,  aud  your  habits^ 
14 


158  THE    HABITS. 

slovenly."*  "  In  fact,  not  a  few  persons  an 
made  drunkards  by  this  very  means.  Dr.  Rush 
has  a  long  chapter  on  this  subject,  in  one  of  his 
volumes,  Avhich  is  well  worth  your  attention. 
In  addition  to  all  this,  it  has  been  observed  that 
in  fevers  and  other  diseases,  medicines  never  ope- 
rate well  in  constitutions  which  have  been  ac- 
customed to  the  use  of  tobacco."  With  these 
facts  in  view,  young  men  of  sense  and  discre- 
tion, surely  will  not  contract  habits  which  cause 
them  sickness  and  pain  in  obtaining  them,  and 
which,  when  obtained,  so  far  from  being  any 
benefit,  are  the  cause  of  evil  only,  and  that  con- 
tinually.    I  speak  as  unto  Avise  men. 

Finally,  adopt  the  motto — "  Temperance  in  all 
thiugrs" — adhere  to  it  strictly,  and  as  a  general 
rule,  your  reward  will  be  health,  cheerfulness, 
and  a  green  old  age. 

'^  Keep  out  of  dehC^  is  a  good  maxim  for 
young  men.  Much  depends  upon  habit  in  this 
respect.  A  young  man^  if  so  disposed  can  gen- 
erally avoid  becoming  involved  in  debt.  If  he  is 
prudent  and  economical,  there  will  be  no  necessi- 
ty in  all  ordinary  cases,  of  becoming  indebted. 
If  a  young  man  who  has  none  to  provide  for  but 
himself,  can  not  avoid  debt,  his  prospects  of  fu- 
ture success  must  be  exceedingly  dark.  If  you 
have  not  the  means  at  hand,  avoid  making  any 
expenditure  at  all,  until  you  can  pay  promptly. 
This  is  the  better  way.  By  adopting  this  rule, 
*  Student's  Manual 


THE    HABITS.  159 

many  a  young  man  has  been  deterred  from  con- 
tracting debts  for  that  "which  was  unnecessary 
and  useless. 

Avoid  cherishing  a  fault-jhiding  ciisposition. 
There  are  those  who  so  incessantly  indulr^e  ia 
complaints  against  men  and  things,  against  the 
weather,  the  times,  the  ways  of  Providence,  and 
even  themselves,  that  it  finally  becomes  a  deep- 
seated  and  confirmed  habit.  Fault-finding  s'jems 
to  be  the  vital  atmosphere  they  inhale;  and  they 
can  not  exist  satisfactorily  to  themselves,  with- 
out waging  a  perpetual  war  of  complaints  agai.ist 
every  body,  and  every  thing.  Such  people  ue- 
come  an  evil  to  themselves,  and  to  all  with  w'iuui 
they  mingle — they  are  a  morose  genus^  f'nm 
whose  presence  contentment  and  happiness  tlee 
away.  Avoid  this  disagreeable  hahit,  as  far  as 
possible.  Cultivate  a  cheerful,  contented  dispo- 
sition. Always  be  disposed  to  look  upon  the 
bright  side  of  things,  and  to  throw  the  veil  of 
charity  over  the  imperfections  of  mankind,  rath- 
er than  to  indulge  in  useless  complaints.  Man 
was  not  intended  for  perfection  in  this  life;  an(? 
he  who  looks  for  it  and  complains  that  he  doe? 
not  find  it,  will  be  constantly  disappointed,  an(* 
possess  an  endless  theme  of  dissatisfaction.  Th<» 
world  is  as  it  is,  and  fault-finding  will  not  mend 
it.  Better,  far,  to  smile  than  to  growl  at  its 
failings — and  better  still  to  amend  our  own  faults 
and  inconsistencies,  and  endeavor  by  kind  pre- 
cept and  faithful  example,  to  improve  our  fel- 


160  THE    HABITS. 

low-beings,  rather  than  to  hurl  captious  com- 
plaints ngainst  them.  Make  the  best  use  of  what 
you  have,  and  do  ihe  best  you  can  in  iiiedi.>charfje 
of  all  your  duties,  and  trust  the  rest  to  the  care 
Df  the  wise  Disposer  of  all  events. 


CHAPTER    IV. 


CONVERSATION. 


Language  is  one  of  the  most  important  gifts 
bestowed  upon  man,  by  a» bountiful  Providence. 
It  holds  a  high  rank  among  the  peculiar  faculties 
by  which  the  human  race  are  pre-eminently  dis- 
tinguished from  other  classes  of  beings  on  earth. 
By  the  aid  of  lanf^uage  we  communicate  to  each 
other  our  thoughts,  our  inclinations,  wishes, 
hopes  and  fears — by  language  we  interchange  all 
the  sentiments  of  the  heart — soul  mingles  with 
fcoulj  and  the  dearest  and  sweetest  connexions  in 
life  are  formed.  But  as  every  blessing  the  good- 
ness of  God  has  bestowed  upon  man,  can  be  per- 
verted from  its  original  design,  and  made  the 
source  of  evil,  so  language  often  becomes  the 
medium  by  which  great  wretchedness  is  occa- 
sioned. "  The  tongue,"  says  St.  James,  though 
"  a  little  member,  is  an  unruly  evil,  full  of  deadly 
poison."  This  is  said  in  reference  to  an  un- 
guarded tongue.  When  the  tongue  is  made  the 
mstrument  of  calumny,  falsehood,  licentiousness 
U*  161 


162  CONVERSATION. 

and  profanity — when  it  is  made  to  give  utterance 
to  the  vile  and  sinful  thoughts  of  a  corrupt  heart 
— it  truly  becomes  "an  unruly  evil,  full  of  dead- 
ly poison !"  But  a  strictly  guarded  and  well- 
disciplined  tongue,  is  an  instrument  capable  of 
accomplishing  great  good!  A  few  remarks^ 
therefore,  upon  the  subject  of  conversatio-n,  can 
not  be  inappropriate  to  the  consideration  of  the 
young. 

The  first  important  requisite  in  conversation, 
IS  discretion.  The  old  proverb  says,  "a  wise 
man  thinks  all  that  he  says,  and  a  fool  says  all 
that  he  thinks."  The  meaning  of  this  maxim  is, 
that  the  wise  man  selects  liis  thoughts  for  con- 
versation, from  the  mass  that  is  floating  in  his 
mind.  Wise  men  have  many  improper  thoughts 
as  well  as  other  people;  but  one  trait  of  their 
wisdom  is,  to  keep  such  thoughts  to  themselves, 
and  give  utterance  only  to  such  as  are  proper 
and  useful.  But  every  thing  that  enters  the 
minds  of  the  foolish — whether  proper  or  improp- 
er, wise  or  simple — runs  off  from  the  ends  of  their 
tongues  ;  and  in  this  consists  one  portion  of  their 
folly.  A  safe  rule  to  adopt  is,  to  be  cautious  to 
whom  you  speak,  what  you  speak,  and  in  whose 
fresence  you  speak.  A  strict  scrutiny  in  these 
respects,  will  become  a  safeguard  that  will  al- 
ways keep  you  within  the  bounds  of  propriety  and 
prudence. 

As  conversation  is  a  means,  under  proper  man- 
agement by  which  the  roost  important  knovrledge 


CONVERSATION.  163 

can  be  obtained,  it  should  be  your  endeavor  to 
seek  out  the  company  of  the  experienced  and  the 
■well-infornied.  The  conversation  of  a  wise  man, 
like  the  gentle  showers  of  the  Summer,  falls  upon 
youthful  hearts  with  an  inspiring  and  fructify- 
ing influence — it  sows  the  seeds  of  useful  knowl- 
edge, and  lays  the  foundation  of  virtues  which  in 
after  life,  expand  into  a  character  rich  in  every 
valuable  qualification.  In  conversing  with  such 
people,  mark  the  language  they  use,  the  manner 
of  their  expression,  and  their  general  demeanor, 
that  you  may  acquire  a  correct  and  intelligent 
method  of  conveying  your  own  thoughts.  I 
would  not  have  you  servilely  imitate  the  whole 
manner  and  expression  of  others;  but  you  well 
know  that  thoughts  can  be  uttered  either  in  an 
obscure,  broken,  unintelligent,  and  vulgar  man- 
ner, or  in  a  way  that  is  clear,  perspicuous,  and 
genteel.  To  secure  this  latter  method,  great  as- 
sistance can  be  gained  by  observing  the  manner 
of  those  who  possess  it,  and  adopting  a  general 
course  similar  to  theirs. 

To  obtain  information,  your  conversation  should 
be  varied  in  accordance  with  the  condition  and 
occupation  of  those  with  whom  you  speak.  To 
converse  witii  the  merchant  or  professional  man, 
upon  the  mechanic  arts — or  with  the  mechanic, 
on  agriculture — or  with  the  farmer,  on  the  rise 
and  fall  of  stocks,  or  on  the  minutiae  of  com- 
merce, or  on  literary  criticisms — as  a  general  re- 
sult, your  stock  of   information  would  receive 


164  CONVCRSATtON. 

but  little  addition.  With  every  individual,  I  re- 
peat, you  should  endeavor  to  lead  the  conversa- 
tion to  those  topics  whereon  they  are  "at  home" 
— subjects  relating  to  their  particular  calling,  and 
in  regard  to  which  they  are  supposed  to  be  well 
informed.  In  this  manner,  from  every  person 
jnowever  limited  his  general  knowledge,  you  can 
gain  information  which  can  be  turned  to  good 
account. 

Confine  not  your  conversation  to  people  of  one 
opinion,  or  of  the  same  class,  sect,  or  parly,  ei- 
ther in  regard  to  religion,  politics,  or  any  other 
subject.  By  hearing  different  opinions  and  sen- 
timents advanced  and  advocated  upon  the  same 
topic,  you  have  a  much  more  favorable  opportu- 
nity of  deciding  where  truth  resides,  and  of  in- 
creasing your  general  stock  of  knowledge,  than 
you  possibly  could,  were  you  to  restrict  your  in- 
tercourse exclusively  to  one  parly  or  class.  And 
here  let  me  caution  you,  to  permit  not  the  truth 
or  value  of  any  sentiment  you  may  hear  uttered 
by  an  individual,  to  be  decided  by  your  prepos- 
sessions for  or  against  the  parly  or  sect  to  which 
he  may  belong ;  but  solely  by  the  consistency 
and  reasonableness  of  the  sentiment  itself— by 
its  agreement  or  opposition  to  the  dictates  of 
wisdom, and  to  known  and  well  established  facts. 
From  every  party  and  sect,  much  informalion 
that  is  useful  can  be  obtained,  if  they  are  listened 
to  with  candor  and  discrimination. 

In  company,  conversation  should  not  be  allow- 


CONVERSATIOW.  1^ 

ed  to  Stagnate,  as  this  causes  all  to  feel  awkward 
and  unpleasant.  To  obviate  this  difficulty,  if 
proper  topics  do  not  readily  occur,  let  some  val- 
uable publication  be  read  aloud  by  one  of  ihe 
party.  Each  paragraph  may  become  the  subject 
of  general  comment,  as  it  is  read — every  individ- 
ual who  feels  inclined,  expressing  his  opinion  in 
regard  to  its  merits.  In  this  manner,  a  flow  of 
conversation  can  be  kept  up,  that  will  be  enter- 
taining and  useful  to  all. 

Beware  in  company,  of  speaking  against  an  ab- 
sent person.  In  such  cases,  your  words  will 
seem  to  be  conveyed  on  the  wings  of  the  wind. 
The  individual  who  is  the  subject  of  your  re- 
marks, will  assuredly  hear  of  them,  and  you  will 
be  extremely  liable  to  become  involved  in  diffi- 
culty from  your  thoughtlessness.  By  detracting 
from  the  merits  of  the  absent,  the  company  will 
be  at  liberty  to  surmise  that  you  are  actuated  by 
envy  or  malice;  and  thus  you  may  lower  your" 
self  in  their  estimation,  instead  of  the  person 
against  whom  your  remarks  are  directed.  A  cer- 
tain eccentric  individual  was  always  observed,  at 
parties,  to  be  among  the  last  that  retired.  On 
being  interrogated  v/hy  he  uniformly  tarried  so 
long,  he  replied  that  "as  soon  as  a  man  was  gone, 
they  always  began  to  talk  against  him  ;  and,  con* 
sequently,  he  thought  it  always  judicious  to  stay 
till  none  were  left  to  slander  him."  There  is 
loo  much  truth  in  this  suggestion.  To  speak 
disparagingly  of  the  absent,  is  a  failing  too  gen* 


166  COWVERSATION. 

erally  indulged.  It  should,  however,  be  guarded 
against,  as  a  practice  alike  tinjint,  indelicate,  and 
un^enilenianly.  It  is  doing  unto  others  precisely 
OS  we  uould  not  have  others  do  unto  us. 

Be  cautious  upon  what  topics  you  converse. 
Never  introduce  or  speak  upon  subjects  that  are 
indelicate,  profane,  or  in  any  way  improper. 
There  is  no  greater  indication  of  a  lack  of  good 
breeding,  than  a  violation  of  this  rule.  Especial- 
ly avoid  indulging  levity  upon  sacred  subjects. 
Religion  is  a  topic  too  important — the  names  of 
our  Creator  and  of  our  Redeemer  are  too  sacred— 
to  be  mentioned  in  a  light  trifling  manner,  or  to 
be  made  themes  for  ridicule  or  merriment. 

Avoid  interlarding  your  conversation  with  vul- 
gar sayings  and  low  expressions.  Many  are  fond 
of  indulging  in  double  entendres — in  conveying 
by  emphasis  or  gesture,  some  indelicate  idea,  un- 
der a  form  of  decent  language.  This  habit  should 
be  carefully  avoided  by  every  young  man  who 
would  lay  claims  to  gentility.  Anecdotes  of  a 
lascivious  character,  or  such  as  terminate  in  an 
attempt  at  vulgar  wit,  should  never  be  permitted 
to  pass  your  lips. 

Never  be  guilty  of  using  profane  language.  la 
this  respect,  young  men  are  extremely  liable  to 
err.  It  seems  that  some  view  it  as  an  accoii:- 
plifehment,  a  mark  of  gallantry  and  manhood,  to 
intersperse  their  conversation  with  oalhs  and  im- 
precations. But  this  is  a  great  mistake.  There 
is  no  more  certain  evidence  of  ill  manners,  and 


CONVERSATION.  16t 

of  familiarity  with  low  company,  than  the  habit 
of  swearing.  It  shows  an  evident  want  of  true 
taste  and  politeness.  Lord  Chesterfield,  who  is 
good  authority  on  this  suhject,  says  that  oaths 
are  never  heard  in  the  language  of  a  real  gentle- 
man. It  is  true,  some  who  lay  pretensions  to 
gentility,  indulge  in  this  lo^v  habit ;  but  their  pre- 
tensions are  not  well  founded.  This  one  prac- 
tice displays  their  vulgarity  as  evidently  as 
though  the  word  were  branded  upon  their  fore- 
head. Permit  me,  therefore,  to  urge  the  young 
man  whose  eye  is  scanning  these  lines,  to  refrain 
entirely  from  this  base  practice.  It  is  not  only 
wicked  in  the  sight  of  God — not  only  impolite, 
dishonorable,  and  ungentlemanly — but  useless, 
uncalled  for,  and  absolutely  silly  !  If  you  would 
be  respected  by  yourself  and  by  others,  be  not 
contaminated  by  that  vulgarity  which  invariably 
degrades  you  in  the  estimation  of  the  discreet 
and  wise.  And  whenever  your  companions  in- 
dulge in  profanity,  exercise  all  your  influence  by 
entreaty,  persuasion,  or  even  ridicule,  to  induce- 
them  to  abandon  a  habit  which  ranks  them  with 
the  lowest  of  our  race.  It  is  hardly  necessary  to 
say,  that  it  is  exceedingly  impolite  and  indecorous 
to  use  profane  language  in  company — especially 
in  the  company  of  ladies  !  This  the  good  sense 
of  every  intelligent  young  man  will  dictate  ;  and 
he  will  therefore,  not  allow  himself  to  be  guilty 
of  such  vulgarity. 
Do  not  engross  the  whole  attention  of  the  so- 


168  CONVERSATION. 

rial  circle.  You  should  recollect  thai  others 
have  ideas  as  well  a*!  you — that  their  desire  to 
express  them  may  be  as  strong  as  yours,  and  that 
the  company  may  be  as  highly  edified  by  their 
conversation,  as  by  the  uninterrupted  flow  of 
your  own  thoughts.  Remember  the  adage — 
'  Water  running  from  a  bottle  nearly  empty, 
makes  more  noise  than  in  running  from  one  that 
is  full."  People  wtU  sometimes  apply  this  to 
those  who  monopolize  a  great  proportion  of  the 
conversation.  Whenever  the  propensity  seizes 
you  to  talk  much  more  than  others,  in  company, 
think  of  the  loitd  sound  of  the  empty  bottle  ;  and 
allow  the  suspicion  to  enter  your  mind,  that  per- 
haps those  who  are  compelled  to  listen,  are  think- 
ing of  it  also.  This  will  be  a  salutary  curb,  and 
will  be  likely  to  keep  you  within  the  bounds  of 
politeness. 

Avoid  speaking  much  of  yourself  and  your  own 
exploits,  in  a  mixed  company.  He  who  makes 
himself  the  theme  of  his  whole  conversation,  is 
very  liable  to  become  exceedingly  ridiculous  in  the 
eyes  of  oihers.  It  has  the  appearance  of  holding 
a  very  elevated  rank,  in  your  own  estimation — 
and  that  of  all  the  subjects  that  have  engrossed  the 
attention  of  man  since  the  world  began,  none  seem 
to  you  so  worthy  the  notice  of  those  in  your  pres- 
ence, as  your  own  attractions  or  achievements. 
A  little  reflection  on  the  ridiculous  light  in  which 
you  would  thus  place  yourself  will  cause  you  to 
avoid  this  display  of  littleness  and  vanity. 


CONVERSATION.  169 

Do  not  make  others  the  subject  of  ill-natured 
jests.  It  may  for  the  moment,  produce  a  laugh 
in  the  company ;  but  it  may,  also,  send  a  shaft 
that  will  rankle  deep  in  some  heart,  and  become 
the  source  of  bitter  enmity  towards  you. 

When  an  individual  is  addressing  you,  avoid 
seeming  inattentive  to  his  remarks.  It  has  the 
appearance  of  holding  him  in  slight  estimation, 
and  is  equivalent  to  saying,  "  I  deem  you  of  too 
little  importance  to  claim  my  notice." 

Beware  of  entering  into  loud  and  boisterous 
disputation  or  wrangling  upon  any  topic,  in  com- 
pany. If  the  opinions  you  may  happen  to  ex- 
press, are  objected  to,  and  you  are  thus  compel- 
led, as  it  were,  to  enter  upon  their  defence,  do  it 
with  calmness  and  serenity.  Keep  yourself  per- 
fectly cool  and  collected;  and  avoid  showing  the 
least  symptom  of  anger.  Nothing  is  more  impo- 
lite, and  nothing  gives  your  opponent  greater 
advantage  over  you,  than  to  burst  out  into  a  blaze 
of  rage.  Carefully  avoid  such  a  catastrophe.  If 
he  becomes  angry,  do  you  not  fail  to  be  good- 
natured — if  he  frowns,  do  you  smile — if  he  re- 
sorts to  calumny  and  vituperation,  do  you  return 
it  with  forgiveness  and  kindness.  "A  good  word 
for  a  bad  one,  is  worth  much  and  costs  but  lit- 
tle." You  can  not  foil  to  obtain  a  sensible  ad- 
vantage by  pursuing  this  course.  These  remarks 
will  apply  especially  to  religious  topics.  A 
friendly  conversation,  or  disputation  upon  con- 
troverted points  of  religious  faith,  is  both  pleas- 
15 


176  C0N\^ER9ATI0If. 

ont  and  instructive,  when  the  parties  remain  in  a 
milf]  and  well-governed  slate  of  mind.  But  if 
one  or  both  become  angry,  all  pleasure  and  profit 
ceases — it  becomes  a  strife  of  bad  feelings  and 
acrimonious  personalities,  instead  of  that  proper 
interchange  of  opinions,  whereby  truth  is  elicited. 
When  tiie  feelings  become  aroused  to  this  disa- 
greeable state,  evidence  and  argument  are  of  no 
avail ;  they  make  no  convincing  and  lasting  im- 
pression, and  the  conversation  had  better  be  clo- 
sed at  once — for 

"  A  man  convinced  against  liis  will, 
Isoftlie  same  opinion  still." 

Never  flatly  contradict  another  in  conversation. 
It  is  much  more  proper  to  say,  "  that,  perhaps,  is 
a  mistake,"  than  to  exclaim,  "  that  is  a  lie."  The 
former  is  a  more  honorable  and  gentlemanly  man- 
ner of  contradicting  a  statement,  than  the  latter. 
When  you  are  compelled  to  differ  from  another, 
in  any  sentiment  he  has  uttered,  do  it  with  ex- 
pressions of  regret  that  your  views  call  upon  you 
to  sustain  opinions  of  an  adverse  character.  This 
will  tend  to  remove  or  prevent  harshness  and  as- 
perity— it  will  prepossess  him  in  favor  of  the 
friendly  spirit  which  you  exhibit,  and  cause  him 
to  view  your  sentiments  in  a  more  favorable  light 
than  he  would  were  you  to  pursue  a  diflferent 
course. 

Be  not  too  positive  in  any  of  your  statements. 
You   will   frequently   discover  yourself  wrong, 


CONVERSATION.  171 

when  you  feel  very  positive  you  are  right.  Every 
subject  has  ^?co  sides  ;  and  before  you  form  a  def- 
inite conclusion,  or  enter  upon  the  defence  of  an 
opinion,  be  certain  that  you  have  fairly  seen  and 
examined  both  sides.  A  botanist,  in  publishing 
an  account  of  a  flower  denominated  "the  bee- 
orchis,"  described  it  as  having  the  form  of  a  bee 
painted  upon  its  leaves.  Another  writer  public- 
ly contradicted  this  statement,  and  maintained 
that  it  was  the  figure  of  a  Jiy  that  was  impressed 
upon  the  petal  of  the  flower.  In  this,  however, 
he  displayed  the  limited  extent  of  his  informa- 
tion upon  this  subject,  for  there  are  two  species 
of  orchis  flower — the  bee-orchis  and  the  fly-orchis. 
Had  not  this  writer  been  so  very  positive,  he 
would  not  have  published  and  displayed  his 
ignorance  to  the  world.  I  repeat,  then,  be  not 
too  positive  upon  any  subject,  or  too  precipitate 
in  expressing  your  opinion.  Give  every  topic  a 
thorough  examination  before  you  become  its  ad- 
vocate. 

Permit  me  here  to  caution  young  men  against 
that  ungentlemanly  practice,  in  which  too  many 
indulge,  of  speaking  in  a  light  and  disparaging 
manner  of  the  female  character  in  general.  Some 
young  men  seem  to  imagine  it  exceedingly  wise 
and  knowing,  to  indulge  in  these  general  suspi- 
cions. But  they  invariably  indicate  a  weak  head, 
an  unkind,  ungenerous  disposition,  and  a  wicked 
and  corrupt  heart.  Such  young  men  should  re« 
member  that  their  mothers,   sisters,  and  future 


172  COWVtRSATION. 

wives,  are  all  included  in  these  sweeping  denun- 
cialions.  If  they  possess  any  love  or  respect  for 
them,  their  lips  will  be  closed  lo  these  viie  and 
"Uiifounded  caluainies. 


CHAPTER    V. 


AMUSEMENTS. 


This  is  a  subject  fraught  with  difficulty.  Man- 
kind are  furnished  with  many  faculties  that  are 
capable  of  bestowing  much  amusement ;  which 
"sufficiently  shows  us,"  saj's  Addison,  "that 
Providence  did  not  design  this  world  should  be 
filled  with  murmurs  and  repinings.  or  that  the 
heart  of  man  should  be  involved  in  gloom  and 
melancholy."  That  it  is  proper,  yea,  necessary, 
for  the  young  to  seek  occasional  amusement,  is  a 
subject  which  admits  of  but  little  dispute.  The 
bow  must  frequently  be  unbent,  to  retain  its  elas- 
tic spring.  So  the  body  must  obtain  relaxation 
from  labor,  or  it  speedily  wears  out — and  the 
mind  must  be  occupied,  at  proper  intervals,  with 
lighter  and  more  diversified  topics,  than  a  constant 
grapple  with  abstract  sciences,  and  the  cares  and 
perplexities  of  life,  or  its  delicate  and  wonderful 
machinery  becomes  disordered.  To  be  healthy, 
the  body  must  frequently  change  its  posture — to 
continue  sound,  the  mind  must  unbend  from  its 
15*  173 


174  AMUSEMENTS. 

high  vocations,  and  seek  rest  by  a  resort  to  the 
powers  of  the  imagination. 

There  is  a  thought  connected  with  this  topic, 
of  which  the  young  should  be  aware.  An:iuse- 
ment  cannot  be  obtained  except  at  liie  expense 
o£  experiencing  something  of  a  contrary  charac- 
ter. Without  weariness  you  can  never  realize 
the  enjoyment  of  rest — without  hunger  and  thirst, 
you  can  not  know  the  satisfaction  of  partaking 
of  food  and  drink.  And  be  it  remembered,  that 
without  application  to  business — without  indus- 
trious exertion  in  some  occupation  which  is  more 
or  less  painful — you  can  not  possibly  find  amuse- 
ment, properly  speaking,  in  any  thing.  It  is 
alone  by  contrast  that  amusement  possesses  at- 
tractions. Destroy  the  contrast,  and  the  amuse- 
ment ceases.  How  often,  in  the  midst  of  some 
scene  of  amusement,  does  the  wish  escape  the 
bosom  of  the  young — "  O  that  I  could  always 
remain  engaged  in  these  gratifying  pastimes!" 
Alas,  ignorant  youth  !  know  that  were  these  sea- 
sons of  amusement  to  continue  without  interrup- 
tion, soon  would  they  become  as  irksome  and 
painful  as  labor — soon  would  they  lose  all  their 
charms,  and  be  distasteful  and  insipid  !  Those 
who  are  enabled  by  wealth  to  make  pleasure,  as 
it  is  termed,  the  whole  occupation  of  life,  find  it 
far  more  difficult  to  obtain  aviusement,  than  peo- 
ple in  the  humbler  walks  of  life.  Pleasure  is 
their  btisiness,  their  trade  ;  and  it  often  becomes 
as  onerous  and  irksome  to  them,  as  any  occupa- 


AMUSEMENTS, 


175 


-tion  does  to  others.  The  young  should,  therefore, 
remember  that  they  cannot  obtain  amusement 
fiom  any  source  whatever^  uithout  they  are 
prepared  for  it  by  previous  industry ,  labor,  and 
deprivation.  As  well  can  food  be  grateful  to  i 
stomach  already  overloaded  and  surfeited. 

While  it  is   universally  conceded  that  amuse- 
ments are  proper  to  youth,  the  character  of  those 
amusements  is  a  serious  and  important  question, 
in  regard  to  which  there  exists  a  diversity  of  opin- 
ion.    Such  is  the  infirmity  of  human  nature,  that 
whatever  is  pleasing  and  gratifying  for  a  season — 
made  so  by  previous  deprivation — we  are  liable  to 
indulge  in  to  such  excess,  that  it  becomes  an  evil, 
generating  pain  and  wretchedness.      From  the 
very  nature  of  the  subject,  the  young  must  be  left, 
in  a  good  degree,  to  the  guidance  of  their  own 
judgment  and  discretion,  in  regard  to  their  recre- 
ations.    Their  parents  and  guardians  can  not  al- 
ways be  with  them  in  their  amusements.     They 
must,  therefore,  bring  to  bear  that   self-control 
which  will  restrain  excess,  or  the  evil  will  be  upoa 
their  own  heads.     There  is  as  much  need  of  tem- 
'  perance  in  amusements,  as  in  relation  to  any  other 
subject.     Without  a  temperate  forbearance,  the 
most  harmless  amusements  become  the  sources 
of  unhappiness.     The  very  circumstance  that  we 
have  too  much  of  a  good  thing,  makes  it  good  for 
nothing — makes  it  an  evil  rather  than  a  good. 
Young  men  should,  therefore,  exercise  caution 
and  circumspection   and  much  forethought,  in 


176  AML'SEMENTS. 

selecting  their  amusements.  They  should  choose 
those  that  possess  the  least  liability  to  lead  to  ex- 
cess and  ruin — if  possible,  they  should  select 
those  which  both  please  and  instruct. 

"  Pleasure,  or  wrong  or  rightly  understood, 
Our  greatest  evil,  or  our  greatest  good." 

Card  playing  is  often  resorted  to  by  the  youn?, 
for  amusement.  Although  the  act  of  card  playing 
for  recreation,  when  considered  simply  in  and  of 
itself,  is  not  injurious,  yet  as  its  associations  and 
tendencies  are  dangerous,  and  as  it  occupies  hours 
that  might  be  spent  more  profitably,  the  practice 
should  be  avoided.  There  is  nothing  in  this 
amusement  that  can  be  beneficial.  It  affords  no 
useful  exercise  for  the  mind — stores  it  with  no 
valuable  ideas — not  even  admitting  of  conversa- 
tion to  any  extent,  except  upon  the  trivial  subject 
of  the  game.  It  is  one  of  the  most  unmeaning, 
unprofitable,  and  fruitless  employments  to  which 
the  mind  can  well  be  directed.  But  the  great  ob- 
jection to  card  playing,  is  Us  dangerous  tendency. 
An  expertness  in  this  practice,  is  liable  to  induce 
a  desire  to  venture  a  small  hazard  at  the  gaming 
table,  and  then  a  larger  and  larger  still,  until  a 
thirst  for  gaming  is  acquired,  which  leads  to  pov- 
erty and  wretchedness.  1  would,  therefore,  advise 
young  men  to  avoid  card  playing  entirely.  It 
can  not  possibly  bestow  any  benefit  upon  them ; 
but  it  can  lead  them  into  the  most  sinful  practi- 
ees  ;  it  can  lead  and  has  led  to  the  dungeon  and  the 
gallows  !    Who  is  willing  to  run  this  hazard,  for 


AMOSEMENTS.  Wf 

the  snke  of  the  little  amusement  this  practice 
can  'mnart  ? 

"  Dancing,  for  those  whose  occupations  are  of 
a  sedentary  character,  such  as  students  and  many 
classes  of  mechanics,  would  be  an  appropriate 
exercise,  if  it  were  not  perpetually  abused.  But 
by  assembling  in  large  crowds,  continuing  it  late 
at  evening,  and  then  sallying  out  in  a  perspiration, 
into  the  cold  or  damp  night  air,  a  thousand  times 
more  mischief  has  been  done,  than  all  the  bene- 
fit which  it  has  afforded  would  balance."  And  be- 
sides, as  dancing  assemblies  are  usually  conduct- 
ed, they  become,  to  many  young  men,  the  nurse- 
ries of  intemperance,  prodigality,  and  indolence. 
"  It  were  greatly  to  be  wished  that  this  exercise 
might  be  regulated  by  those  rules  which  human 
experience  has  indicated,  instead  of  being  subject 
to  the  whim  and  caprice  of  fashion.  It  is  a  great 
pity  an  exercise  so  valuable  to  the  sedentary,  and 
especially  to  those  who  sit  much,  of  both  sexes, 
should  be  so  managed  as  to  injure  half  the  world, 
and  excite  against  it  the  prejudice  of  the  other 
half."*  As  it  is,  however,  young  men  who  wish 
to  preserve  good  moral  and  physical  habits,  should 
wholly  refrain  from  mingling  in  those  routs,  balls, 
and  assemblies,  where  dancing  is  continued  to  a 
late  hour,  and  where  the  intoxicating  beverage  is 
freely  circulated.  Amid  such  scenes,  inclinations, 
tastes  and  habits  of  the  most  deleterious  tendency, 
may  be  formed — the  germs  of  vices  may  there  be 
♦  Young  Man's  Guide. 


178  AMUSBfti^'NTa. 

obtained,  which  lead  to  utter  wretchedness  and 

degradation. 

Theatres  are  another  source  of  amusement  to 
which  young  men  often  resort.  That  theatres 
might  be  made  instructive — that  tiiey  might  be 
made  schools  of  morality  and  virtue — is  undoubt- 
edly true.  But  that  they  are  such,  all  know  to  be 
false.  As  they  are  now  managed,  they  are  the 
fountain,  the  very  hot-bed  of  immorality.  Every 
vicious  habit,  and  every  sinful  propensity,  there 
finds  a  stimulant.  Lewd  songs,  lewd  dances, 
gestures  and  expressions,  are  constantly  brought 
to  the  attention  of  the  audience.  And  it  must  be, 
that  iheatre-going  people,  of  both  sexes,  are  fond 
of  these  indelicate  exhibitions,  or  actors,  whose 
interest  it  is  to  cater  for  the  public  taste,  would 
not  dare  to  indulge  in  them.  Were  these  immoral- 
ities  to  be  indignantly  frowned  down  by  the  au- 
dience, upon  every  representation,  they  would 
soon  be  banished  from  the  stage.  But  as  long  as 
they  are  received  witii  evident  marks  of  approba- 
tion, these  streams  of  pollution  will  still  continue 
to  send  their  contaminations  into  the  hearts  of 
thousands. 

No  young  man  can  be  in  the  habit  of  attending 
theatres,  without  extreme  liability  to  become  cor- 
rupted in  every  principle.  Dr.  Griscom,  of  New- 
York,  in  a  report  made  a  few  years  ago,  on  the 
causes  of  vice  and  crime  in  that  city,  says — 
"  Among  the  causes  of  vicious  excitement  in  our 
city,  none  appear  to  be  so  powerful  in  their  oa 


AlVIUSEMEN  rs.  170 

fUre,  as  theatrical  amusements.  The  number  of 
boys  and  young  men  who  have  become  determin- 
ed thieves,  in  order  to  obtain  the  means  of  intro- 
duction to  the  theatres  and  circuses,  would  appal 
the  feelings  of  every  virtuous  mind,  could  the 
whole  truth  be  laid  before  them."  Rosseau,  Sir 
John  Hawkins,  Archbishop  Tiilotson,  Bishop 
Collier,  Sir  Matthew  Hale,  Burgh,  Dr.  Johnson, 
Lord  Kaimes,  with  a  multitude  of  other  distin- 
guished writers,  all  bear  testimony  against  the 
demoralizing  and  highly  corrupting  influence  of 
theatres.  They  are  among  the  most  dangerouf 
places  to  which  young  men  can  resort  for  amuse- 
ment; and  the  safest  course  is  to  abstain  fron? 
them  entirely.  The  love  for  this  amusement, 
like  that  for  alcohol,  grows  imperceptibly,  until 
the  heedless  youth  becomes  its  slave  and  its  vic- 
tim. And,  therefore,  as  in  regard  to  intoxicating 
drinks,  the  only  point  of  security,  respecting  tho 
evil  influences  of  theatres,  is  total  abstinence! 

Young  men  need  not  lack  for  proper  amuse- 
ment. By  an  enlightened  discrimination,  they 
can  find  an  abundant  supply  from  sources  not  only- 
innocent  but  instructive.  Recreations  in  the  open 
air,  for  those  whose  occupations  are  sedentary — 
the  perusal  of  interesting  books  and  other  publi- 
cations— the  frequenting  of  well  conducted  read- 
ing rooms,  and  an  attendance  at  lyceums,  and 
other  meetings  for  public  lectures — all  aflford 
amusement  combined  with  useful  instructioR. 
Social  parties,  and  a  frequent  entrance  into  the 


180  AM0SEMFNT3. 

rarious  family  circles  of  your  friends,  are  prolific 
sources  of  innocent  recreation.  And  I  can  not 
forbear  urging  young  men  (if,  indeed,  it  is  ne- 
cessary to  urge  them)  to  frequent  in  tlveir  lei- 
sure hours,  the  company  of  intelligent  and  virtu- 
ous females,  of  the  class  with  whom  they  asso- 
ciate. Nothing  tends  more  to  polish  a  young 
man,  and  to  refine  his  tastes  and  his  manners,  "^ 
than  the  society  of  the  virtuous  of  the  other  sex. 
In  such  company,  vulgarity  and  profanity  will  be 
rebuked,  and  a  guard  will  be  placed  upon  the  lip 
and  the  actions,  that  can  not  but  exercise  a  saluta- 
ry tendency. 

In  conclusion,  I  would  repeat  that,  in  regard  to 
amusements,  much  depends  upon  the  discretion, 
the  self-control  and  good  sense  of  young  men. 
You  desire  to  be  respectable,  prosperous,  and 
happy.  But  bear  this  truth  in  mind,  that  you 
can  not  become  so,  except  by  your  own  exertions, 
your  own  forbearance  and  discretion.  Your  inter- 
ests and  enjoyments  are  vitally  involved  in  the 
character  of  your  amusements.  Deeply  fix  the 
resolution  in  your  mind,  to  indulge  in  no  recrea- 
tion that  is  not  of  an  innocent  nature,  and  of  a 
strict  moral  tendency,  and  you  will  exhibit  a  wis- 
dom productive  of  immense  benefits. 


CHAPTER    VI.  .. 

DRESS. 

The  primary  object  in  dress,  is  to  afford  cover- 
ing and  comfort  to  the  body,  and  to  add  to  it  a 
comely  and  pleasing  appearance.  These  are  the 
only  essential  reasons  which  render  apparel  ne- 
cessary, and  are  the  only  proper  purposes  for 
which  it  can  be  assumed. 

There  are  two  extremes  in  dress,  into  which 
people  often  run — slovenliness,  and  foppery.  It 
should  be  the  study  of  every  young  man  to  avoid 
both  these  extremes,  as  a  like  violation  of  that 
good  taste  and  that  self-respect  which  they  should 
ever  cultivate. 

Slovenliness  in  apparel,  is  exceedingly  unbe- 
i^oming  to  all,  but  highly  so  to  youth.  It  plainly 
evinces  a  lack  of  energy,  of  spirit,  of  taste,  and  of 
a  proper  pride  of  appearing  decently.  There  is 
nothing  that  more  plainly  indicates  slothfulness 
and  a  want  of  bodily  and  mental  vigor,  than  care- 
lessness in  respect  to  apparel.  A  young  man  of 
this  appearance  will  be  viewed  as  of  little  worth 
or  promise.  There  is,  however,  a  wide  distine- 
16  181 


183  DRESS. 

lion  between  appearing  in  a  slovenly  manner,  and 
appearing  in  garments  of  a  coarse  texture,  or  that 
hare  been  injured  by  use.  A  man  may  be  arrayed 
in  clothes  of  the  finest  quality,  and  of  the  most 
costly  value,  and  yet  from  the  careless  manner  in 
uhich  he  assumes  them,  and  the  filth  he  allows 
to  collect  upon  them,  may  appear  slovenly  and  un-  ) 
becoming.  While  he  whose  garments  are  poor  ' 
or  threadbare,  may  appear  even  genteel,  by  the 
car  eand  neatness  he  displays  in  their  appearance. 
It  is  not  to  be  supposed  that  people  of  different  oc- 
cupations can  dress  in  the  same  manner,  or  appear 
with  the  same  neatness.  Some  employments  are 
of  that  nature  that  the  garments,  despite  the  ut- 
most care,  soon  become  soiled  ;  but  even  in  such 
occupations,  you  can  easily  distinguish  between 
the  slovenly  and  the  tidy.  There  is  no  employ- 
ment in  which  there  cannot  be  a  certain  degree 
of  taste  and  care  displayed  in  the  dress.  I  would 
not  have  the  mechanic  or  the  farmer,  engage  in 
his  business,  starched  and  luflled — this  would  he 
out  of  taste  and  propriety  ;  but  each,  of  every' 
calling,  should  have  garments  corresponding  to 
the  peculiarities  of  their  employment.  And  it 
would  be  an  equal  destitution  of  propriety,  to  ap- 
pear in  company,  or  in  the  house  of  worship,  with 
clothes  soiled  and  defaced  by  ordinary  occupa- 
tions, if  you  can  consistently  part  with  the  means 
to  procure  those  that  are  more  suitable.  Allow 
a  sense  of  propriety  to  dictate  in  regard  to  these 
things,  and  you  will  hardly  fail  of  acting  properly. 


DRESS. 


188 


Equally  to  be  avoided  is  the  other  extreme  of 
foppery.  This  is  a  passion,  an  inordinate  love 
for  dress.  The  head  of  the  fop  seems  to  be  filled 
with  little  else  than  fashions,  colors,  and  figures. 
But  of  all  failings,  this  rage  for  dress  is  one  of  the 
most  simple  and  unmanly.  That  little  children 
should  be  pleased  with  bright  colors,  and  pretty 
figures,  and  glistening  spangles,  is  not  a  matter 
of  astonishment.  But  that  those  who  have  grown 
to  the  stature  of  men,  and  who  have  the  appear- 
ance of  men,  should  still  continue  children,  and 
allow  their  minds  to  be  engrossed  by  the  frivoli- 
ties of  infancy,  is  truly  surprising,  and  much  to  be 
regretted.  It  is  one  of  the  most  unerring  indica- 
tions of  a  weak  intellect,  a  narrow  capacity,  and 
a  mind  barren  of  every  valuable  qualification. — 
Whenever  you  behold  a  man  running  nearly  crazy 
after  the  extremes  of  fashion,  and  arraying  him- 
self with  all  the  frippery  of  a  doll,  you  may,  with- 
out hesitation,  set  him  down  as  one  who  has  lit- 
tle claim  to  manhood  except  his  form.  And,  in- 
deed, he  seems  to  view  himself  in  a  similar  light 
—he  appears  to  base  all  his  pretensions  to  man- 
hood and  respectability,  on  the  adornment  of  the 
outward  person  ;  on  the  cut  and  texture  of  his 
clothes — at  the  same  time  allowing  the  mind  to 
be  choked  with  the  weeds  of  ignorance,  or  over- 
run with  the  brambles  of  pride,  vanity,  and  haughty 
selfishness. 

Young  men,  never  aspire  to  the  name  o4*a  fop« 
Let  all  that  is  manly  and  noble  in  your  minds, 


16^  DRESS. 

arise  in  utter  detestation  of  such  a  character.  He 
is  an,object  of  the  ridicule  even  of  children  of  or- 
dinary minds.  Never  permit  yourselves  to  believe 
that  your  rank  in  community,  will  depend  upon 
your  dress — or  that  your  worth  will  be  estimated 
by  the  cost,  quality,  or  fashion  of  your  garments. 
The  fop  may  weigh  you  in  this  balance,  and  liom 
these  things  decide  upon  your  value  in  his  sight. 
But,  believe  me,  people  of  discernment — the  great 
mass  of  the  thinking  in  society — will  judge  ot 
your  merits  on  different  grounds.  They  look  be- 
yond the  productions  of  the  sheep  and  the  silk- 
worm— their  opinions  are  not  colored  by  logwood 
and  indigo — their  views  are  not  shaped  by  the 
tailor's  shears  !  They  penetrate  beneath  these 
outward  embellishments,  and  look  at  the  moral 
and  intellectual  worth  of  the  individual.  They 
fully  coincide  in  opinion  with  the  poet,  that 

"  Worth  makes  the  man,  and  tcant  of  it,  the  fellow — 
The  rest  is  all  but  leather  or  prunella." 

Dress  is  a  poor  criterion  by  which  to  judge  of 
the  worth  of  a  man.  Who  does  not  know  that 
the  simpleton  can  dress  in  the  same  manner  as  the 
wise  man — and  the  knave  as  the  honest  and  vir- 
tuous? And  if  dress  is  .the  only  rule  of  judg- 
ment, how  can  the  one  be  distinguished  from  the 
other  ?  You  are  not  so  weak  as  to  suppose,  that 
by  your  dress,  you  can  deceive  those  who  are  ac- 
quainted with  your  character.  If  you  are  known 
to  be  vicious  and  depraved,  you  may  array  your 


&RESS.  185 

8elf  in  the  most  costly  and  fashionable  apparel, 
and  yet  you  can  not  cover  your  wickedness. 
When  an  acquaintance  meets  you,  his  judgment 
is  not  in  the  least  blinded,  nor  his  memory  blunt- 
ed, by  your  dress — he  immediately  exclaims,  men- 
tally, "  there  goes  the  young  man  who  spends  all 
his  income  in  revelry  and  dissipation — there  goes 
the  intemperate  and  licentious  young  man,  or  the 
gamester,  or  the  thief!"  Of  what  avail  are  yor; 
fine  garments  in  such  cases  ?  But  when  yo^t 
character  is  good — when  community  are  aware 
that  you  are  industrious,  temperate  and  virtuous 
— plain  and  neat  garments  will  not  lessen  their 
estimation  of  your  worth,  but  will  rather  have  a 
tendency  to  increase  it. 

"  It  is  an  indication  of  a  youth  void  of  under- 
standing, to  be  wholly  occupied  about  the  deco- 
ration of  his  person,  and  the  display  of  external 
pomp  and  accomplishments.  There  is  an  atten- 
tion to  the  decencies  of  dress,  which  is  conducive 
to  the  Well-being  of  society.  But  there  are  many 
with  whom  the  adorning  of  their  persons,  is  the 
principal  source  of  self  satisfaction,  and  the  chief 
business  of  life.  Man  is  an  intelligent  being. 
He  has  glorious  faculties  to  exercise.  What  can 
more  strikingly  indicate  a  want  of  that  wisdom 
by  which  such  a  being  should  be  distinguished, 
than  to  have  his  faculties  absorbed  and  his  am- 
bition satisfied,  with  the  transient  varieties  of  ex- 
ternal attire?  Besides,  how  contemptible  is  the 
distinction  which  is  merely  superficial.  The  beo 
J6* 


]86  DRESS. 

that  gathers  treasures  from  every  flower,  haq  not 
the  finest  coating.  The  eagle,  that  soars  on  ma- 
jestic wings,  to  the  birth  of  the  morning,  has  not 
the  most  glittering  plumage.  It  is  the  butterfly, 
that  idly  flutters  on  the  passing  breeze,  which  the 
fopling  emulates.  The  care  of  the  body  is  more 
with  him,  than  the  care  of  the  mind.  With  use- 
fulness and  virtue,  with  knowledge  and  reason  to 
engage  him,  behold  him  the  slave  of  a  color,  or  a 
fashion,  placing  his  glory  in  that  in  which  inferior 
minds  may  often  vie  with  him,  and  flowers  and 
plants  excel  him.  Such  a  young  man,  whom 
dress  alone  occupies  and  delights,  will  be  claimed 
by  folly  as  her  legitimate  child.  Wisdom  rejects 
him.  Intelligence  sighs  over  him,  as  a  young 
man  void  of  understanding."* 

The  more  gaily  and  fashionably  I  am  dressed, 
says  the  young  man,  the  more  readily  am  I  smiled 
upon  by  the  ladies.  This  remark,  as  a  general 
rule,  is  unfounded,  although  it  may  be  true  in 
some  instances.  But  of  what  value  can  that 
young  lady  be,  or  of  what  worth  her  esteem,  who 
judges  of  the  character  of  her  company  solely  by 
their  dress  ?  Suppose  you  could  obtam  such  a 
young  lady  for  a  companion,  would  she  be  a  prize 
worth  the  seeking  ?  I  am  confident  that  the  great 
majority  of  young  ladies,  prefer  plainness  and 
neatness  in  the  dress  of  their  male  associates,  to 
the  extremes  of  the  frivolous  fop.  Says  a  modem 
writer,  "  take  this  as  a  secret  worth  half  a  fortune 
•  Bishop  Dehon 


DRESS.  ISt 

to  you,  that  women,  however  vain  they  may  be 
themselves,  despise  vanity  in  men  /" 

Let  neatness  and  economy  be  your  study  m 
dress.  You  should  not  be  so  far  behind  the  fash- 
ion as  to  be  odd,  nor  one  of  those  who  are  the 
most  forward  ia  seeking  and  adopting  its  changesj 
but  should  conform  to  the  general  style  of  those 
of  your  age  and  rank,  in  the  community  where 
you  reside.  It  was  a  remark  of  Dr.  Franklin 
that  "our  own  eyes,  at  most,  only  cost  us  a  paii 
of  spectacles;  but  other  people's  eyes  cost  us  all 
our  gay  dresses  and  splendid  carriages."  This  is 
true  in  respect  to  the  great  majority  of  the  world. 
But  the  wise  and  the  independent  youth  should 
dress  to  please  his  own  eyes,  and  to  suit  his  own 
taste,  rather  than  with  an  absorbing  and  slavish 
desire  to  please  the  extravagant  fancies  of  others. 
In  the  former  case,  he  would  act  as  becometh  an 
intelligent  and  free  man — in  the  latter,  as  one  in 
a  degrading  bondage. 

Your  great  inquiry  should  not  be,  how  many 
new  suits  can  I  obtain  in  a  year  ?  but  it  should 
rather  be,  how  long,  by  proper  care,  can  I  pre- 
serve my  old  suit,  and  cause  it  to  appear  neat  and 
respectable?  Prudence,  economy,  and  good  taste 
call  upon  you  to  avoid  in  dress,  both  slovenliness 
and  carelessness  on  the  one  hand,  and  extrava- 
gance and  folly  on  the  other. 


CHAPTER  VII. 


GENERAL   DEMEANOR. 


The  standing  which  young  men  will  occupy  in 
society,  and  their  future  success  in  life,  depend 
much  upon  the  dem'eanor  which  they  exhibit  to 
the  world.  To  understand  the  manners  and  con- 
duct of  a  gentleman,  and  to  practice  them,  is  one 
good  step  toward  permanent  respectability.  By 
this  I  do  not  mean  an  aping  of  the  frivolous  words, 
and  phrases,  and  actions,  of  certain  fashionable 
ones,  who  would  give  the  cue  to  public  manners, 
and  decide  upon  gentility;  but  an  acquaintance 
and  familiarity  with  those  principles  of  propriety 
and  suavity,  which  ever  characterize  the  conduct 
of  a  true  gentleman.  To  obtain  the  esteem  and 
good-will  of  your  fellow-beings,  one  important 
means  is,  to  treat  them  in  a  gentle,  agreeable  and 
respectful  manner,  as  far  as  their  situation  and 
merits  will  allow,  and  to  conduct  with  propriety 
in  their  presence.  A  few  observations,  therefore, 
on  general  demeanor,  can  not  be  inappropriate. 

Gentility f  in  the  true  acceptation  of  that  word, 

188 


GENERAL   DEMEANOR.  189 

is  of  great  importance  to  young  men.  True  gen- 
tility is  not  that  which  exhibits  itself  only  in  a 
boWj  a  simper,  or  the  formal  expression  of  a  com- 
pliment;  but  it  is  that  kindness  in  the  heart  and 
that  sense  of  propriety,  "which  enables  you  to 
make  yourself  agreeable,  and  to  conduct  with  de- 
corum, in  whatever  company  you  may  mingle. 
Too  little  attention  is  paid  to  gentility  by  many, 
whoj  it  would  seem,  should  not  be  deficient  there- 
in. In  the  city  of  New  York,  many  of  the  peo- 
ple are  in  the  habit  of  inviting  to  their  dwellings, 
the  ministers  who  assemble  every  Spring  to  attend 
the  anniversaries  of  the  great  religious  societies, 
which  concentrate  in  that  city.  But  lli£se  hospi- 
table entertainers  often  found,  much  to  their  sur- 
prise and  regret,  that  the  manners  of  many  of  their 
clerical  guests,  were  not  strictly  genteel.  Furni- 
ture and  carpets  ruined  by  a  coating  of  mud,  a 
plentiful  sprinkling  of  the  expectoration  of  the 
pipe,  and  of  the  juice  of  tobacco,  and  the  relics  of 
half  masticated  quids,  were  the  return  which  too 
many  received  for  their  kindness.  The  evil  even- 
tually became  so  oppressive,  that  a  few  years 
Bince,  on  the  approach  of  one  of  these  anniversa- 
ries, precautionary  notices  were  inserted  in  the 
public  prints  of  New  York,  calling  upon  the  cler- 
gymen who  might  attend,  to  avoid  repeating  these 
instances  of  ill-breeding!  Surely  it  would  be 
supposed,  that  the  good  sense  of  these  gentlemen 
would  have  screened  them  from  these  improprie- 
ties.    What  can  be  more  impolite  than  to  stride- 


190  GENERAL    DEMEANOR. 

into  a  well-furnished  apartnnent,  with  the  feel 
loaded  willi  mud,  and  in  this  <  ondition  sit  down 
and  extend  thera  upon  a  chair  or  a  sofa?  How 
destitute  of  common  decency,  to  fill  the  apartment, 
when  others  are  present,  with  the  suffocating 
fumes  of  tobacco,  or  defile  the  mouth  with  that 
loathsome  weed,  which  would  nauseate  the  stom- 
ach of  the  swine,  and  scatter  the  filthy  saliva 
upon  the  carpets,  the  furniture,  the  jams  of  the 
fire-place,  and  even  upon  the  dresses  of  the  com- 
pany !  Every  young  man  who  would  be  consid- 
ered as  possessing  good  manners,  should  avoid 
these  and  all  like  practices.  They  indicate  a 
total  ignorance,  or  an  entire  disregard,  of  the  dic- 
tates of  common  propriety. 

A  swaggering,  braggadocia  air  and  manner,  is 
very  rude  and  ungenteel.  Some  young  men 
seem  to  imagine  that  this  is  the  proper  way  to  ap- 
pear of  consequence  in  the  eyes  of  others.  But 
herein  they  greatly  mistake.  High  swelling 
words,  and  haughty,  bombastic  airs,  instead  of 
creating  respect,  invariably  excite  the  ridicule 
and  contempt  of  the  discriminating.  People  who 
examine  and  try  such  bubbles,  generally  discover 
beneath  this  outward  bravado  air,  an  empty  mind, 
and  a  cowardly  yet  cruel  heart.  If  you  endeavor 
to  stcell  yourself  into  consequence,  your  fate, 
without  doubt,  will  be  that  of  the  frog  in  the  fa- 
ble, which  es-ayed  tj  expand  to  the  size  of  the  ox. 
"If,"  says  Q,uarles,  "thou  desirest  to  be  truly 
valiant,  fear  to  do  any  injury  ;  he  that  fears  not 


GENERAL    DEMEANOR.  101 

to  do  evil,  is  always  afraid  to  suffer  evil:  he  thai 
never  fears  is  desperate,  and  he  that  always  fears 
is  a  coward.  He  is  truly  valiant  who  dares  noth- 
ing but  what  he  may,  and  fears  nothing  but  what 
he  ought."  In  company,  your  carriage  should 
be  distinguished  neither  by  swagger  upon  the  one 
hand,  nor  extreme  bashfulness  on  the  other.  You 
should  occupy  the  medium  ground  of  these  ex- 
tremes— you  should  be  calm,  self-possessed,  com- 
placent, and  agreeable,  as  far  as  possible — pre- 
pared to  receive  or  give  those  attentions  that  are 
called  for  by  circumstances. 

Politeness  to  ladies,  should  never  be  forgotten 
or  neglected  on  any  occasion,  or  in  any  circum- 
stances. To  illustrate,  I  will  mention  an  occur- 
rence which  lately  took  place,  to  the  knowledge 
of  the  writer.  In  the  early  part  of  the  Fall  of 
1836,  a  few  ladies  residing  in  the  lower  part  of 
the  city  of  New-York,  accompanied  by  some  fe- 
male friends  visiting  the  city,  were  caught  late  in 
the  afternoon,  by  a  severe  shower,  while  walking 
in  the  suburbs  of  the  town.  While  in  this  con- 
dition, far  from  their  residence,  exposed  to  the 
rain,  which  was  falling  in  torrents,  a  train  of  cars 
approached  on  the  rail-road  from  Harlaem,  filled 
with  men  inside,  but  with  abundance  of  room  on 
the  outer  seats.  The  ladies  hailed  the  driver  of 
the  horses,  and  requested  a  passage  into  town. 
But  before  he  could  reply,  they  were  answered  by 
a  general  and  vociferous — "No — no — drive  on — 
drive  on !"  from  the  gentlemen  within — and  on 


199  GENKRAL    DEMEANOH. 

they  went,  leaving  the  ladies  to  their  fate  !  Figure 
to  yourself  the  condition  of  the  parties,  and  then 
ask  yourself  whether  there  was  a  genuine  gentle- 
man within  those  cars?  There  could  not  have 
been  one,  or  he  would  have  raised  his  voice  in  be- 
half of  females  in  this  unpleasant  condition.  Let 
these  circumstances  be  remembered,  as  an  in- 
stance where  great  impoliteness  was  displayed. 

Politeness  demands  that  a  gentleman  should 
incommode  himself  to  confer  a  favor  upon  a  lady, 
or  an  aged  or  weakly  person.  In  company,  there- 
fore, or  in  any  assemblage,  never  continue  sitting, 
while  females  or  the  aged  are  standing  unprovi- 
ded with  seats.  In  stage-coaches,  or  other  con- 
ditions where  females  are  compelled  to  bear  you 
company,  avoid  all  vulgar  or  immodest  language, 
all  indelicate  allusions — they  would  be  both  im- 
polite and  ungenerous.  A  female  correspondent, 
in  Avriting  to  the  Editor  of  the  Spectator,  (No. 
242,)  says — "  I  had  the  fate  of  meeting  with  a 
rude  fellow  in  a  stage-coach,  who  entertained 
two  or  three  women  of  us  (for  there  was  no  man 
beside  himself)  with  language  as  indecent  as 
ever  was  heard  upon  the  water.  The  impertinent 
observations  which  the  coxcomb  made  upon  our 
shame  and  confusion,  were  such  that  it  is  an  un- 
speakable grief  to  reflect  upon  them.  It  would 
certainly  be  worth  your  consideration  to  look  in- 
to the  frequent  misfortunes  of  this  kind,  to  which 
the  modest  and  innocent  are  exposed  by  the  licen- 
tious behavior  of  such  as  are  as  much  strangers 


GENERAL    DEMEANOR.  193 

to  good  breeding  as  to  virtue.  Could  we  avoid 
hearing  what  we  do  not  approve,  as  easily  as  we 
can  seeing  what  is  disagreeable,  there  Avere  some 
consolation  ;  but  since  in  a  box  at  a  play,  in  an 
assembly  of  ladies,  or  even  in  a  pew  at  church,  it 
is  in  the  power  of  a  gross  coxcomb  to  utter  what 
a  woman  can  not  avoid  hearing,  how  miserable  is 
her  condition  who  comes  within  the  power  of 
such  impertinents  ?  and  how  necessary  is  it  to  re- 
peat invectives  against  such  a  behavior?  If  the 
licentious  had  not  utterly  forgotten  what  it  is  to  be 
modest,  they  would  know  that  offended  modesty 
labors  under  one  of  the  greatest  sufferings  to 
which  human  life  can  be  exposed.  If  one  of  these 
brutes  could  reflect  thus  much,  though  they  want 
shame,  they  would  be  moved  by  their  pity,  to  ab- 
hor an  impudent  behavior  in  the  presence  of  the 
chaste  and  innocent."  In  circumstances  like 
these,  where  people  of  both  sexes  are  casually 
brought  into  each  other's  company,  the  gentleman 
can  readily  be  distinguished  from  the  ill-bred  and 
unmannerly,  by  his  respectful  attentions  and 
deference  to  the  ladies. 

An  affable  and  sociable  disposition  is  another 
important  component  of  the  general  demeanor. 
A  sour,  morose  disposition — a  stoical  indifference 
exhibited  towards  those  in  your  presence — are  the 
most  certain  means  of  becoming  disliked  and  neg- 
lected in  turn.  He  who  displays  great  hauteur  in 
his  conduct — who  refrains  from  conversation,  ex- 
cept with  a  select  few— who  answers  a  remark  ad- 


IM  GENLRAL    DEMEANOR. 

dressed  to  him,  only  by  a  cold  and  formal  inclina- 
tion of  the  body,  or  by  a  monosyII;iljl(-' — will  soon 
be  left  to  liis  solitary  grandeur,  lo  amuse  himself  by 
his  own  communings.  He  will  be  avoided  as  an 
ice-berg,  that  freezes  up  the  flow  of  social  feeling. 
A  disposition  of  this  character  is  to  be  avoided. 

To  be  condescending  and  social  in  your  inter- 
course with  society,  is  an  effectual  me  hod  of  ob- 
taining general  good  will.  Politicians  understand 
this  principle  of  human  nature.  Hence  it  is  not 
uncommon,  upon  the  approach  of  an  election,  to 
behold  candidates  for  office,  who  had  before  been 
distant  and  very  reserved  in  their  intercourse  with 
the  common  people,  become  suddenly  exceeding- 
ly affable  and  sociable.  None  are  so  poor  or  so 
rough,  but  they  can  be  spoken  to,  and  shaken 
heartily  by  the  hand,  their  families  inquired  after, 
and  an  interest  manifested  in  all  their  affairs  ! 
And,  it  is  to  be  feared,  that  too  often,  by  these 
means,  the  aspirant  accomplishes  his  purposes. 
Now  the  disposition  which,  in  such  instances  is 
hypocritically  exhibited,  I  w^ould  have  you  always 
cherish  in  your  heart  and  manifest  in  your  con- 
duct. The  man  who  is  good  enough  for  you  to 
shake  hands  with,  and  converse  sociably  with, 
previous  to  an  election,  is  worthy  of  the  same  at- 
tentions afterward.  Banish  all  haughtiness — be 
condescending,  and  affable,  and  sociable — bestow 
proper  notice  and  attention  upon  ail  with  whom 
you  mingle,  and'  you  can  not  well  fail  to  occupy 
a  good  standing  in  their  estimation. 


GENERAL    DEMEANOR.  195 

Kindness  is  another  characteristic  of  the  gen« 
eral  demeanor,  which  should  be  cultivated.  There 
is  no  trait  in  human  nature  more  lovely  and  cap- 
tivating, or  more  highly  calculated  to  win  regard 
and  esteem,  than  a  kind  disposition.  To  be 
obliging  and  accomi-  odating,  as  far  as  lies  in  your 
power,  to  your  neighbors  and  those  with  whom 
you  have  intercourse,  will  obtain  their  friendship 
and  affection — and  not  only  so,  but  wjll  secure 
their  assistance  when  you  stand  in  need  of  it.  It 
is  related  by  a  certain  writer,  that  "  two  neigh- 
bors, one  blind  and  the  other  lame,  were  called  to 
a  place  at  a  great  distance.  What  was  to  bo 
done  ?  The  blind  man  could  not  see,  and  the 
lame  man  could  not  walk  !  Why,  the  blind  man 
carried  the  lame  one :  the  former  assisting  by  his 
legs,  and  the  other  by  his  eyes."  Here  Avas  a 
reciprocity  of  good  offices,  mutually  beneficial. 
In  the  "  Hotel  des  Invalids,"  of  Paris,  an  asylum 
for  the  wreck  of  the  Imperial  armies  of  France, 
it  is  said  that  an  old  blind  soldier  is  often  seen 
holding  a  book  for  a  companion  who  has  lost  his 
arms,  who  reads  aloud  for  the  edification  of  both. 
By  this  mutual  kindness,  the  misfortunes  of  both 
are,  to  a  great  extent,  remedied.  "  Mankind  are 
so  much  indebted  to  each  other,"  says  Duclos, 
"that  they  owe  mutual  attention." 

However  prosperous  may  be  our  present  con- 
dition, we  are  all  subject  to  misfuriune,  and  may, 
ere  long,  stand  in  need  of  the  assistance  of  others. 
And  in  this  condition,  who  the  most  readilv  and 


196  GENERAL    DEMEANOR. 

promptly  receives  the  aid  of  his  fellow-citizens  ; 
the  man  whose  former  life  has  been  characterized 
by  a  niggardly,  uncharitable  disposition — whose 
ear  had  always  been  deaf,  and  his  hand  closed  to 
the  supplications  of  distress — or  he  who  has  beea 
generous,  open-hearted,  kind,  and  benevolent? 
This  inquiry  is  immediately  answered  in  your 
minds.  In  community,  the  man  of  shining  talents 
is  admired — he  who  is  upright  and  honest,  is  re- 
spected— butthe  kind,  obliging  neighbor  is  loved! 
He  is  surrounded  by  a  host  of  friends,  without 
having  an  enemy. 

The  power  of  kindness  in  overcoming  opposi- 
tion, and  in  subduing  enemies,  is  immense.  It  is 
related  that  a  father,  who  had  a  stubborn  and  re- 
fractory son,  resorted  to  every  severe  measure  in 
his  power  to  reform  him,  but  without  avail.  In 
vain  he  again  and  again  applied  the  rod — the  only 
perceptible  eflect  was  to  harden  him  in  his  wilful- 
ness. At  length  the  father  became  d  iscouraged — 
in  his  despair  the  rod  dropped  from  his  hand — he 
burst  into  a  flood  of  tears,  and  bewailed  the  stub- 
born sinfulness  of  his  child.  Instantly  the  heart 
of  the  son  v/as  pierced  as  with  a  dart  of  fire — with 
quivering  lips  and  streaming  eyes,  he  exclaimed, 
"  Whip  me,  father  !  do  whip  me  as  much  as  you 
will ;  but  don't  cry  !"  Behold  the  power  of  kind- 
ness. The  boy  who  could  look  with  unflinching 
nerve  upon  the  uplifted  rod,  was  subdued  into 
submission  in  a  moment,  by  a  gush  of  tender  af- 
fection !  Hence  wc  perceive  the  wisdom  and  phi- 


OKNERAL   DEMEANOR,  Wf 

losophy  of  the  Saviour's  commandment:  "  Love 
your  enemies."  Instead  of  retaliating  upon  your 
enemies,  and  endeavoring  in  all  ways  to  injure 
them,  which  would  cause  their  hatred  to  burn 
still  more  fiercely,  love  them — exhibit  toward 
them  no  emotigns  but  those  of  kindness  and  good 
will.  A  perseverance  in  this  course,  will  most 
certainly  destroy  their  enmity,  overcome  their 
opposition,  and  gain  their  friendship.  It  is  upon 
these  sound  principles  that  the  public  ambassador 
of  the  Gospel  of  the  Redeemer,  v/ho  has  an  en- 
lightened view  of  his  duties,  and  who  appreciates 
the  true  spirit  and  intent  of  the  Gospel,  depends, 
in  turning  the  sinner  from  the  error  of  his  way. 
He  displays  the  love  of  God — the  impartial  and 
boundless  beneficence  and  kindness  which  exists 
in  his  bosom  towards  all  his  creatures — and  de- 
pends far  more  upon  the  influences  of  this  display 
of  goodness  in  arresting  the  transgressor  in  his 
course,  and  reforming  his  disposition,  than  upon 
the  threatenings  of  the  law.  The  massive  ice 
presents  a  stubborn  resistance  to  the  assaults  of 
man  to  remove  it ;  but  under  the  influence  of  the 
genial  warmth  of  the  rays  of  the  sun,  it  freely  and 
gently  melts  and  disappears.  It  is  said  of  the 
celebrated  Bishop  Cranmer,  that  whoever  did  him 
an  injury,  was  almost  sure  of  receiving  some  fa- 
vor from  him.  There  was  true  philosophy  in  this 
course. 

"  Nature  has  given  man  a  full  suit  of  armor 
against  his  foes — an  armor  easy  to  be  worn,  and 
♦  17* 


198  GENERAL    DF.MEANOR. 

ready  at  liand.  It  is  the  panoply  of  kindness. 
This  is  a  sure  protection  against  rage  and  vio- 
lence, and  revenge.  It  not  only  defends  him  who 
wears  it,  but  subdues  his  adversaries.  Physical 
force  may  he  resisted — cunning  may  be  met  with 
cunning — but  there  is  no  withstanding  the  power 
of  kindness.  He  who  keeps  this  armor  bright  by 
use,  need  not  fear  the  threats,  or  the  fury,  or  the 
malice  of  others.  He  would  not  be  more  safe 
were  he  enclosed  in  walls  of  brass.  The  ill-will 
of  an  enemy  can  not  be  torn  away  by  the  tempest 
of  violence  ;  but  it  can  be  melted  by  the  bright 
beams  of  kindness.  '  If  thine  enemy  hunger, 
feed  him  ;  if  he  thirst,  give  him  drink:  for  in  so 
doing,  thou  shalt  heap  coals  of  fire  on  his  head.'  "* 
Good  humor  is  a  disposition  which  young  men 
should  endeavor  to  infuse  into  th«ir  general  de- 
meanor. He  who  is  sour,  ill-natured,  and  petu- 
lant, is  a  pest  to  himself,  his  friends,  if  he  has 
any,  and  all  with  whom  he  mingles.  He  is  liable 
to  gain  the  dislike  of  all,  and  his  company  is 
avoided,  as  a  kind  of  fire-brand,  calculated  to  set 
into  a  blaze  every  thing  around  him.  But  by 
cultivating  a  spirit  of  good  humor — which  is  easy 
to  be  pleased,  overlooks  trifling  vexations,  and  in- 
fuses upon  the  countenance  a  complacent  smile, 
instead  of  a  dark  frown— you  will  have  a  source 
of  self-satisfaction,  your  presence  will  be  agreea- 
ble, and  your  company  will  be  sought  after.  It 
should  be  your  endeavor  to  avoid  all  outbreaking* 

♦  Counsels  to  the  Young. 

9 


GENERAL   &£M£AKOR.  100 

of  anger  and  rage.  Anger  is  much  like  a  maga- 
zine of  powder — if  permitted  to  ignite  and  ex- 
plode, it  will  most  surely  blow  to  atoms  your  own 
happiness,  for  the  time  being,  and  also  be  very 
liable  to  injure  that  of  the  persons  near  you. 
During  paroxysms  of  anger  words  are  uttered  and 
actions  performed,  often  of  the  most  ridiculous 
and  reprehensible  character,  and  of  which  you 
will  afterward  become  most  heartily  ashamed. 
The  advice  given  by  Athenodorus  the  philoso- 
pher, to  Augustus  Cesar,  is  of  great  value:  "Re- 
member, Cesar,  whenever  you  are  angry,  that  you 
neither  say  nor  do  any  thing,  before  you  have  re- 
peated to  yourself  the  twenty-four  letters  of  the 
alphabet."  This  admirable  rule,  or  something  of 
a  like  character,  should  be  adopted  by  every  young 
man,  as  a  kind  of  safety-valve,  that  will  permit 
the  first  rush  of  angry  feelings  to  pass  off,  before 
they  induce  any  improper  action. 

I  cannot  refrain  from  again  urging  young  men 
to  frequent  the  company  of  virtuous  females.  It 
will  impart  gracefulness,  urbanity,  and  polish  to 
their  general  demeanor — a  purity,  modesty,  and 
propriety  to  their  conversation  and  manners — 
which  they  can  not  obtain  elsewhere.  No  man, 
except  he  possesses  feelings  of  a  brutish  nature, 
can  fail  to  become  more  exalted  and  refined,  by 
often  mingling  in  female  company,  where  modes- 
ty and  enlightened  virtue  prevails. 

In  conclusion,  remember  that  "  gentility  is  nei 
thr:  *n  birth,  fortune,  manner,  nor  fashion,  but 


200  C^NERAL    DEMEANOR. 

inmind!  A  high  sense  of  honor — a  determina- 
tion never  to  take  a  mean  advantage  of  another — 
an  adherence  to  truth,  delicacy,  and  politeness, 
towards  those  with  whom  you  mingle,  or  may 
have  dealings — are  the  essential  and  iislinguish- 
ing  characteristics  of  a  gentleman." 


CHAPTER    VIII. 


CULTIVATING    THE    MIND. 


That  there  is  a  striking  distinction  between 
the  capabilities  of  mankind  and  those  of  animals, 
is  a  self-evident  truth.  The  cause  of  this  vast 
disparity,  consists  in  the-  endowments  bestowed 
by  the  creative  Hand,  for  the  guidance  of  the 
diflferent  races.  Instinct  is  the  highest  capacity 
possessed  by  the  brutes.  Through  its  influences, 
they  are  enabled  to  obtain  food  for  the  sustenance 
of  the  body,  and  also  to  take  measures  to  secure 
themselves  from  threatening  danger.  These  be- 
ing the  only  wants  of  the  animal  races,  the  pow- 
ers of  instinct  are  amply  sufficient  to  afford  every 
needed  supply ;  and  the  Creator  has  thus  granted 
them  all  they  can  ask  in  consistency  with  their 
nature  and  scale  of  being.  But  man  has  been 
endowed  with  the  higher  and  more  diversified 
powers  of  Mind.  These  crown  him  lord  of  this 
world — these  form  the  grand,  and  indeed,  the 
only  distinction  between  him  and  the  brute 
wojtld— -thp^e  enable  J»m  not  only  to  supply  alj 

201 


202  CULTIVATING    THE    MINO. 

the  wants  of  his  body,  but  also  to  rule  over  the 
animal  creation,  and  convert  them  to  his  purposes. 

The  human  mind,  who  can  describe  ?— who 
can  fathom  its  capabilities  ? — who  can  measure 
its  mighty  powers? — who  can  mark  the  limit  of 
its  upv/ard  flight  toward  infinite  Perfection?- 
Wonderful  faculties  !  which  annihilate  time,  and 
enable  us  to  live  in  a  moment,  as  it  were,  through 
a  thousand  ages  of  the  recorded  Past,  or  of  the 
imagined  Future !  Inscrutable  powers  I  which 
enable  us  to  overleap  space,  and  in  an  instant,  to 
traverse  the  earth  from  pole  to  pole,  and  from 
meridian  run  the  vast  circle  to  meridian  ! — which 
enable  us  to  soar  aloft  to  the  bright  stars  of  lieav- 
en,  and  to  stray  from  planet  to  planet,  and  from 
system  to  system,  throughout  the  azure  fields  of 
ether  !  Incomprehensible  mind  !  guided  by  faith, 
on  swift  expanded  wing,  it  can  urge  its  flight  up, 
far,  far  up,  through  illimitable  extent,  and  bow  in 
gratitude  and  love  before  the  very  throne  of  om- 
nipotent Goodness  ! 

What  has  not  been  accomplished  by  the  hu- 
man mind  ?  It  has  not  only  sought  out  means  by 
which  every  luxury  has  been  procured  for  the 
body — it  has  not  only  improved  and  expanded  its 
own  powers,  and  elevated  the  human  race  from 
ignorance  and  barbarity,  to  civilization  and  the 
possession  of  an  immensity  of  k.iowledge — but  it 
has  made  the  elements  its  servants ;  it  has  pene- 
trated deep  into  the  properties  and  operations  of 
nature's  laws,  and  ascertained  to  no  inconsidera- 


CULTIVATING    THE    MIND.  203 

ble  extent,  the  perfect  principles  upon  which  the 
Mighty  One  upholds  and  directs  the  works  of  his 
hand  !  Yet,  amid  all  its  deep  researches,  amid 
all  its  surprising  discoveries,  the  mind  has  not  yet 
fathomed  its  own  wonderful  capabilities ;  it  can 
not  yet  even  conceive  of  the  unmeasured  extent, 
the  vast  height  and  depth,  the  length  and  breadth, 
verging  to  infinity,  of  the  knowledge  its  far-reach- 
ing powers  are  capable  of  grasping !  Truly  has 
man  been  created  in  the  image  of  his  God — truly 
is  his  intellect  a  transcript,  an  emanation,  of  the 
Infinite  Mind  ! 

Young  men,  should  the  powers  of  that  heaven- 
ly mind  with  which  you  have  been  endowed,  be 
overlooked,  neglected,  forgotten  ?  With  the  in- 
valuable cluster  of  mental  faculties  which  you 
possess,  and  which  only  need  exercise,  to  gush 
forth  in  streams  of  pure,  high,  holy  enjeyment, 
will  you  pass  them  by,  as  unworthy  your  atten- 
tion, and  join  with  the  brute,  in  a  career  of  low, 
bodily  gratification?  Every  manly  and  enno- 
bling impulse  within  you,  cries  out  against  such 
a  dishonorable  course ! 

There  is  not  only  a  wide  distinction  between 
the  powers  of  instinct  and  of  mind,  but  also  in 
their  natures.  In  instinct  there  is  no  perceptible 
improvement.  All  its  powers  are  imparted  at 
once.  The  bird  builds  its  nest,  the  bee  seeks  its 
delicious  nectar,  the  beaver  constructs  its  hut  and 
Its  dam,  with  the  same  unerring  precision  on  the 
first  effort,  as  after  years  of  practice.     Neither  is 


20A  CULTIVATING    THE    MIND. 

there  auy  improvement  in  their  races.     The  birt.\ 

the  bee,  ihe  beaver,  indeed  all  animals,  perform 
their  various  avocations  with  no  more  perfection 
now,  than  when  they  came  forth  from  the  ark  of 
Noah.  Instinct,  it  is  true,  is  susceptible  of  a 
very  limited  improvement  in  some  animals,  when 
aided  by  man's  reason.  But  it  does  not  possess 
loithin  liseJf,  the  least  power  of  improvement. 
But  the  mind  of  man  is  constituted  on  principles 
entirely  different.  Of  all  living  beings,  none, 
probably,  are  more  ignorant  and  helpless,  than 
the  new-born  infant.  The  barking  whelp  of  the 
same  age,  evinces  much  more  knowledge,  than 
the  feeble  offspring  of  man,  a  few  days  or  weeks 
old.  But  in  that  cradled  nursling  slumber  the 
faculties  and  energies  of  a  mighty  mind,  which, 
under  proper  cultivation,  can  be  improved  to  an 
extent  now  incomprehensible!  Thus  instinct 
exercises  its  power  without  cultivation  ;  but  man 
must  improve  and  exercise  ];is  mental  faculties, 
before  he  can  enjoy  the  high  advantages  they  are 
capable  of  bestowing. 

The  Creator  has  seen  proper  so  to  constitute 
the  human  mind,  that  it  much  resembles  the  rich 
soil  of  a  garden.  When  destitute  of  cultivation, 
it  will  be  overgrown  by  the  weeds  and  briars  of 
ignorance — useless  in  themselves,  and  the  source 
of  great  evil — with  here  and  there,  perhaps,  a 
sickly  plant  of  knowledge,  struggling  for  exist- 
ence, amid  choking  thorns  and  thistles.  And  the 
more  powerful  the  natural  capabilities  of  minds 


CULTIYATINQ    THE    MIND.  206 

in  such  state,  the  greater  the  evils  flowing  from 
a  want  of  culture,  as  the  richest  soil  shoots  up  the 
rankest  weeds.  To  be  duly  benefited  by  the 
elevated  capabilities  with  which  the  Creator  has 
endowed  man,  the  soil  of  the  mind  must  be  prop- 
perly  tilled  ;  the  weeds  and  brambles  must  be  ex- 
terminated, root  and  branch.  And  not  only  so, 
but  the  seeds  of  knowledge  must  be  sown — the 
tender  plants,  as  they  spring  up,  must  be  nursed, 
and  watered,  and  warmed  into  a  vigorous  growth, 
by  instruction  and  reflection,  and  all  the  numer- 
ous aids  that  abound.  In  this  manner  the  tree  of 
knowledge  will  grow  and  enlarge  ;  its  branches 
will  expand,  and,  ere  long,  be  clothed  with  beau- 
tiful blossoms  ;  and  in  due  time,  a  rich  and  pre- 
cious harvest  of  invaluable  wisdom,  will  be  the 
reward  of  these  labors. 

The  mind  will  not  remain  dormant  and  idle. 
If  its  energies  and  capabilities  are  not  summoned 
to  the  acquisition  of  useful  knowledge,  they  will 
submit  to  the  dictation  of  ignorance  and  supersti- 
tion, and  under  their  control,  will  become  loaded 
with  those  dark  and  erroneous  conceptions,  which 
are  the  fruitful  source  of  unspeakable  evil.  If 
the  intellectual  capacities  are  not  sufficiently  cul- 
tivated and  enlightened  to  be  your  master,  to  con- 
trol and  direct  you,  they  will  become  powerful 
assistants  to  evil  propensities — if  they  are  not  led 
to  the  aid  of  virtue  and  truth,  they  will  volunteer 
in  the  service  of  sin  and  error:  m  their  blindness 
ney  will  marshal  the  passions  in  battle   array, 


208  CULTIVATINQ    THE    MIND. 

and  lead  thorn  on  to  the  attack  of  every  thing  vir- 
tuous and  comuiendablc,  and  to  the  destruction  ot 
every  pure,  racional,  and  proper  source  of  enjoy- 
ment. 

It  is  a  law  of  our  bodily  and  mental  nature,  as 
now  constituted,  that  no  good  can  be  obtained 
no  real  benefit  secured,  no  proper  enjoyment  ex- 
perienced, without  a  corresponding  exertion  to 
procure  it.  Hence,  if  you  make  no  effort  to  cul- 
tivate the  mind  and  improve  your  faculties,  you 
will  remain  in  ignorance,  and  be  compelled  to 
experience  all  the  manifold  evils  that  flow  from 
ignorance.  But  to  secure  all  the  advantages  and 
all  the  enjoyments  of  an  enlightened  intellect, 
you  must  summon  industry  and  perseverance  to 
your  aid,  and  properly  cultivate  the  powers  God 
has  given  you. 

Are  there  not,  then,  young  men,  inducements 
abounding,  sufficient  to  urge  you  to  a  proper  cul- 
tivation of  the  mind  ?  Let  me  direct  your  atten- 
tion to  a  few  further  considerations.  A  mind 
properly  cultivated,  becomes  the  source  of  much 
unalloyed  enjoyment.  The  bacchanalian  over 
his  cups — the  debauchee  in  his  revels — the  un- 
principled in  their  career  of  crime — sometimes 
experience  fleeting  sensations,  which  they  denom- 
inate enjoyment.  But  these,  at  best,  are  but  mo- 
ments of  fitful  excitement,  that  can  not  properly 
be  dignified  by  the  name  of  happiness.  They 
are,  in  reality,  evils  disguised  in  those  alluring 
robes  which  decoy  their  dupes  to  certain  wretch- 


CULTIVATINfl    THE    MIND.  207 

edness — and  millions  of  miserable  victims,  can 
testify  from  experience,  that  at  last,  they  "bite 
like  a  serpent,  and  sting  like  an  adder."  These 
delusive  excitements  are  truly  represented  by  the 
book  of  the  Revelator,  which  was  sweet  in  the 
1  mouth,  but  bitter,  bitter,  in  the  stomach  !  Why 
should  rational  beings  seek  those  misnamed  pleas- 
ui-es,  that  are  invariably  followed  by  more  than 
an  equal  amount  of  pain  and  wretchedness  ?  es- 
pecially, when  there  are  numerous  sources  of 
happiness  within  their  reach,  without  any  of  this 
alloy  ! 

The  enjoyments  springing  from  a  well  culti- 
vated mind,  are  exalted  and  exquisite  in  nature, 
without  any  intermixture  of  succeeding  unhappi- 
ness.  They  flow  from  fountains  entirely  discon- 
nected from,  and  elevated  above,  the  passions,  and 
are  not,  therefore,  subject  to  their  fluctuations. 
Compare  the  pleasures  of  the  student  with  those 
of  the  profligate.  The  student  goes  on  in  acqui- 
sition, from  truth  to  truth,  obtaining  clearer  and 
brighter  views  of  the  wonderful  laws  of  science 
and  of  nature,  and  the  amazing  displays  of  infi- 
nite wisdom  which  abound.  He  perceives  every 
where,  the  utmost  knowledge  and  perfe'ction  at 
work,  adapting  means  to  produce  wise  and  benev- 
olent ends.  He  obtains  an  understanding  of  the 
curious  in  art,  and  the  wonderful  in  philosophy. 
And  as  his  mind  expands  and  his  wisdom  increases, 
in  these  researches,  a  pure  stream  of  enjoyment 
pours  into  bis  heart,  with  an  influence  sweet  as 


9Qt  CCLTIVAIINQ     ril£    MIND. 

the  dews  of  Herraon.  These  pleasures  are  unal- 
loyed— tliey  never  satiate  the  appetite — they  cause 
no  disease,  pain,  or  decrepitude — but  they  in- 
crease in  delight  as  they  increase  in  abundance! 
But  not  so  with  the  protiigate.  The  nnore  he  in- 
dulges in  what  he  calls  his  pleasures,  the  deeper 
he  sinks  in  corruption  and  degradation — the  of- 
tener  he  gives  way  to  his  unbridled  passions,  the 
less  power  do  they  possess  of  bestowing  enjoy- 
ment, the  greater  is  the  pain  they  induce,  and  the 
Xnore  entirely  does  he  become  their  slave — until 
every  sense  is  palled,  every  taste  is  blunted,  every 
source  of  rational  gratification  is  destroyed  ;  and 
he  goes  downward  to  the  grave,  a  miserable,  de- 
crepid,  idiotic  caricature  of  humanity  ! 

A  cultivated  mind,  is  one  of  the  most  ijnportant 
requisites  in  obtaining  a  respectable  standing  in 
society.  The  least  degree  of  discrimination  will 
satisfy  you  of  the  truth  of  this  assertion.  Who 
are  respected  in  community  ? — who  move  in  the 
highest  circles? — who  are  selected  to  fill  stations 
of  trust,  of  responsibility,  and  honor  ?  Your  own 
experience  will  testify  that  they  are  men  of  culti- 
vated minds.  In  this  land  of  republican  equality, 
there  are  no  privileged  orders,  no  feudal  system, 
to  foist  men  into  stations  for  which  they  are  un- 
fitted. But  he  who  would  rise  to  distinction  here, 
must  depend  upon  his  own  resources — must  as- 
cend by  his  own  merits  and  capabilities.  In  this 
land,  the  truth  of  the  poet's  words  are  fully  ex- 
emplified— 


CtJLTlVATINQ   THE   MIND.  209 

,».-  "Honor  and  fame,  from  no  condition  rise: 

Act  well  your  part— /Aere  all  the  honor  lies." 

And  need  I  say,  that  to  "  act  well  your  part,"  in 
this  enlightened  age  and  country,  a  cultivated 
mind  is  indispensable  ?  Without  it,  your  pros- 
pects of  elevation  and  honor,  are  dark  and  un- 
promising. You  can  not  reasonably  expect  to  rise 
above  the  rank  you  now  occupy,  without  a  dili- 
gent application  to  the  enlightenment  of  the  mind. 

A  cultivated  mind  is  essential  to  insure  pros- 
perity in  any  circumstances.  There  is  no  proper 
profession,  occupation,  or  calling  in  which  men 
engage,  where  an  enlightened  mind  will  not  di- 
rectly tend  to  prosperity.  "  Knowledge  is  pow- 
er." He  who  possesses  knowledge,  has  resources 
at  his  command  to  aid  in  every  undertaking,  of 
which  the  ignorant  man  is  wholly  deprived. 
Compare  those  who  have  been  successful  in  life — 
who  have  arisen  from  obscurity  to  fame,  from 
poverty  to  wealth — with  those  who  have  always 
remained  in  obscurity,  or  have  been  reduced  from 
wealth  to  poverty,  and,  as  a  general  rule,  you  will 
discover  that  while  the  former  are  men  who  have 
cultivated  their  minds,  the  latter  are  ignorant  and 
unlettered.  i 

In  cultivating  the  mind,  three  things  are  neces- 
sary to  insure  successful  progress,  viz.,  applica-  ' 
tion,  industry,  and  perseverance.  Whatever  may 
be  your  condition  in  life,  by  calling  these  to 
your  aid,  your  can  hardly  fail  of  succeeding,  to 
the  extent  of  your  aspirations.  Are  you  wealthy, 
18* 


Mi  Ct7LTtVAttN0   THE   MlMD. 

and  surrounded  by  numerous  advantages  ?  Still 
without  industrious  application,  you  can  make  no 
improvement,  no  progress.  A  score  of  tutors 
may  attend  you  Without  avail,  unless  you  call 
your  ovkfn  energies  into  activity.  They  can  not 
study  for  you,  or  think  or  learn  for  you.  You 
must  do  this  for  yourself,  or  remain  in  ignorance  j 
you  must  severely  task  the  powers  of  your  own 
mind)  or  continue  under  all  the  disadvantages  of 
a  want  of  cultivation.  Are  you  poor? — destitute 
of  means  and  advantages  ?  These  circumstances 
should  not  discourage  you.  A  resolution  nobly 
and  firmly  formed,  to  triumph  over  the  difficulties 
that  surround  you,  and  sustained  by  industry  and 
perseverance,  will  make  you  almost  any  thing  you 
choose  to  be.  A  poor  stammering  boy  of  ancient 
Greece,  resolved  to  become  an  orator,  although 
to  appearance,  wholly  unfitted  to  succeed  in  his 
determination.  But  for  him,  application  and  per- 
severance did  every  thing.  With  untiring  indus* 
try,  he  cultivated  his  mind.  la  the  caves  of  the 
mountains,  and  beside  the  boisterous  ocean,  he 
trained  his  powers,  until  success  crowned  his  ef- 
forts. Even  m  those  days  of  eloquence,  he 
charmed  and  astonished  all  Greece,  and  transmit- 
ted the  name  of  Demosthenes,  to  the  latest  gen- 
erations of  men.  The  celebrated  Dr.  Alexander 
Murray,  Avas  the  son  of  a  poor  shepherd  in  Scot- 
land. He  learned  his  alphabet  from  the  board  of 
an  old  wool-card,  whereon  his  father  marked  the 
letters  with  the  burnt  end  of  a  root  taken  from  the 


CCLTIVATINQ    THE   MIND.  211 

fire.  From  this  humble  condition,  by  an  indus 
trious  and  unwearied  cultivation  of  the  mind,  he 
arose  to  an  eminence  as  a  scholar,  to  which  few 
can  expect  to  attain !  Many  instances  might  be 
cited  in  our  own  land,  where,  by  application  to 
mental  culture,  men  have  arisen  from  obscurity 
to  eminence  and  renown.  Thus  poverty,  an  hum- 
ble origin,  or  disadvantageous  circumstances,  need 
not  be  an  insurmountable  obstacle  to  the  cultiva- 
tion of  the  mind,  or  to  an  elevation  in  respecta- 
bility and  public  esteem. 

In  cultivating  the  mind,  you  should  exercise  a 
proper  command  over  its  powers.  There  is  no 
habit  more  fatal  to  rapid  improvement,  than  to 
permit  the  attention  of  the  mind  to  be  distracted 
by  a  variety  of  objects.  You  should  sway  suffi- 
cient control  over  the  mental  faculties,  to  concen- 
trate them  at  will,  on  any  given  subject,  until  you 
have  become  acquainted  with  its  properties.  And 
when  your  attention  is  directed  to  the  acquisition 
of  any  particular  branch  of  knowledge,  let  it  be 
the  object  of  all  your  energies  and  labors,  until 
it  is  fully  attained,  and  stored  safely  m  the  re* 
pository  of  wisdom. 

Patience  is  necessary  in  improving  the  mind. 
There  are  many  discouraging  circumstances  at- 
tending even  the  most  successful  students.  But 
patience  will  enable  you  to  triumph  over  every 
difficulty.  Patience  will  dig  down  mountains  and 
fill  up  valleys — it  will  enable  the  simple  to  become 
enlightened,  and  the  enlightened  to  excel  in  wis- 


213  COLTIVATINQ    THE    MINO. 

dom.  You  should  not  be  frightened  at  perplex- 
ing and  knotty  points  in  your  studies.  Some 
minds  are  inclined  to  slide  easily  around  such  ob- 
structions, and  travel  on  in  ignorance  of  their 
merits.  This  is  a  deleterious  practice,  and  to  be 
especially  avoided.  Look  every  question  fairly 
in  the  face — attack  it  manfully  and  vigorously— 
penetrate  thoroughly  to  its  foundations — and  all 
its  mysteries  will  soon  be  unfolded  to  your  com- 
prehension. In  this  manner  you  will  not  only 
secure  the  knowledge  enclosed  in  the  difficult 
point,  but  will  exercise  and  train  the  mind  into 
increased  strength  and  power. 

A  frequent  recourse  to  the  instructions  of  the 
aged,  is  a  valuable  and  pleasant  method  of  im- 
provement. The  aged  have  for  many  years  been 
collecting  wisdom,  both  theoretically  and  practi 
cally  ;  and  they  are  happy  to  impart  to  the  young 
from  their  fund  of  information.  Much  practical 
instruction  can,  therefore,  be  gathered  from  the 
conversation  of  the  aged.  But  they  must  be  per- 
mitted to  proceed  in  their  own  way.  They  will 
relate  scenes  they  have  participated  in,  describe 
sights  they  have  witnessed,  experiments  they  have 
seen  tried,  and  theories  that  they  have  beheld 
tested.  In  these  narrations,  you  will  hear  many 
wise  sayings  and  aphorisms — much  useful  infor- 
mation, interlarded  with  adventure  and  anecdote  j 
you  will  hear  relations  delineating  the  workings 
of  human  passions,  evincing  the  evils  of  igno- 
tance,  tlvi  wretchedness  flowing  from  error,  the 


CULTIVATING   THE   MIND.  213 

folly  of  indulging  in  sinfulness,  the  misery  and 
pain  which  it  invariably  entails  upon  itsvotaries, 
and  the  wisdom  of  walking  without  deviation  in 
the  i)ath  of  virtue,  probity,  and  temperance.  In 
thus  unloading  their  minds  to  the  young,  the  aged 
are  capable  of  imparting  lessons  abounding  in  the 
rich  instructions  of  precept  and  example. 


CHAPTER    IX 

ESTABLISHING    FIXED    PRINCIPLES. 

In  his  physical  creation,  the  Deity  has  estah 
lished  causes  which  operate  with  unswerving  cer- 
tainty— which  invariably  produce  the  same  effect. 
A  certain  degree  of  heat  will  always  burn — and  a 
certain  amount  of  cold,  as  certainly,  will  always 
freeze.  The  Creator  has  also  established  moral 
laws  for  the  government  of  the  human  race,  which 
are  as  sure  in  their  operations,  and  as  undeviating 
in  their  effects,  as  his  natural  laws  ;  although  their 
movements  and  influences  are  not  so  evident  to 
the  eye  of  the  spectator.  Fire  will  no  more  cer- 
tainly burn,  than  will  a  vicious  action,  sooner  oi 
later,  cause  unhappiness  to  him  who  is  guilty  of 
it.  This  principle  in  morals  is  as  immutably 
fixed,  as  the  pillars  of  Jehovah's  throne.  And 
when  this  important  truth  of  the  certainty  of 
punishment  for  every  wilful  violation  of  the  mor- 
al law  of  God — a  truth  which  runs  through  the 
whole  extent  of  the  Scriptures,  and  which  is  tes- 
tified to  by  the  experience  of  all  ages— is  believed 

214 


ESTABLISHING    FIXED    PRINCIPLES.  215 

attd  settled  in  the  heart,  there  will  be  no  more 
inducement  to  commit  a  known  crime,  than  to 
walk  into  the  burning  flame  ! 

Young  men,  do  you  believe  these  propositions? 
do  you  believe  there  is  a  just  and  certain  punish- 
ment awaiting  you,  for  every  deed  that  is  morally 
wrong  ? — and  a  punishment,  too,  from  which  there 
is  no  escape  ? — If  you  do  not — if  you  imagine 
that  immorality  of  any  character  will  make  you 
happy,  and  that  you  can  escape  the  evil  conse- 
quences flowing  from  it — you  are  truly  in  a  pitia- 
ble condition — you  are  treading  a  dangerous 
path — you  are  under  the  sway  of  a  delusion, 
which,  beyond  all  possibility  of  doubt,  will  lead 
you  into  pain,  and  grief  and  wretchedness.  But 
•if  your  minds  have  become  sufficiently  enlight- 
ened to  adopt  the  belief,  sanctioned  by  divine 
revelation  and  the  whole  history  of  our  race,  that 
moral  guilt  of  every  description,  is  the  cause  of 
certain  unhappiness  and  degradation,  you  have 
adopted  a  wise  opinion;  and  if  faithfully  adhered 
to  and  practiced,  it  will  save  you  from  the  most 
fruitful  sources  of  earthly  wretchedness. 
•  With  these  reflections  in  view,  you  will  per- 
ceive the  necessity  of  establishing,  at  the  outset 
of  life,  certain  fixed  principles  of  moral  conduct, 
to  which  you  will  rigidly  adhere  in  all  your  in- 
tercourse with  the  world.  These  principles  will, 
of  course,  be  of  a  character  corresponding  to  the 
career  which  you  desire  to  run  through  life.  Il 
it  is  your  inclination  and  ambition  to  mingle  with 


216  ESTABLISHING    FIXFD    PRINCIPLES. 

the  vicious  and  depraved — to  become  a  miserable, 
degraded,  despised  outcast — a  bloated,  delormed, 
diseased  libel  upon  the  form  and  name  of  man — 
a  raovmg  pestilence,  a  stench  in  the  nostrils  of 
community — the  object  of  the  scorn,  and  contempt, 
and  disgust  of  the  virtuous  of  your  fellow-be- 
ings— if  these  are  the  circumstances  to  which 
you  aspire,  you  will  adopt  your  principles  accord  ^ 
ingly ;  you  will  determine  to  be  unprincipled, 
vicious,  intemperate,  profane,  cruel  and  revenge- 
ful — and  your  desired  degradation  will  speedily 
and  unavoidably  follow.  But  if,  more  wisely, 
you  are  ambitious  to  obtain  the  good  will  of  soci- 
ety— to  become  respected,  loved,  honored — to  be 
successful  in  your  business  undertakings,  and  to 
receive  the  aid  of  friends  in  times  of  need — il 
you  desire  to  possess  that  peace  of  mind,  that 
calm  satisfaction  and  complacency,  which  form 
the  foundation  of  all  true  happiness — you  must 
adopt  principles  of  a  corresponding  nature — 
principles  directly  the  reverse  of  those  above 
enumerated.  Remember  that  a  good  standing  in 
society — a  character  of  respectability — can  never 
be  obtained  by  an  adherence  to  vicious  principles. 
The  one  is  entirely  incompatible  with  the  other — 
13  as  impossible  in  the  very  nature  of  things,  as 
for  the  streams  of  water  to  rush  back  to  their 
fountains. 

I  repeat,  you  must  choose  and  adopt  the  prin- 
ciples by  which  you  would  be  governed— you 
must  establish  them  in  the  heart,  lay  them  up  io 


ESTABLISHING   FIXED    PRINCIPLES.  217 

the  mind,  as  landmarks  for  future  direction, 
"  When  an  mithor  has  stood  a  thorough  exami- 
nation, and  will  bear  to  be  taken  as  a  guide,  I  put 
him  on  the  shelf.  When  I  have  fully  made  up 
my  mind  on  the  correctness  and  value  of  a  prin- 
ciple^ I  put  it  on  the  shelf  of  the  mind.  A  hun- 
dred subtle  objections  may  be  brought  against  this 
principle  ;  a  hundred  temptations  to  violate  it ;  I 
may  meet  with  some  of  them,  perhaps ;  but  my 
principle  is  on  the  shelf.  Generally  I  may  be 
able  to  recall  the  reasons  which  weighed  with  me 
to  put  it  there ;  but  if  not,  I  am  not  to  be  sent 
out  to  sea  again.  Time  was  when  I  saw  through 
and  detected  all  the  subtleties  that  could  be 
brought  against  it.  I  have  past  evidence  of  hav- 
ing been  fully  convinced  ;  and  there  on  the  shelf 
it  shall  be." 

I  can  not  refrain  from  enumerating  two  or  three 
important  moral  principles,  which  every  wise 
young  man  should  adopt  and  adhere  to»  Have 
you  formed  the  resolution  to  pursue  a  course  in 
life  which  shall  secure  the  respect,  the  esteem 
and  confidence  of  community  at  large?  It  is  a 
noble,  manly  resolve  :  and  of  itself  is  one  good 
step  towards  success  in  its  completion.  Let  me 
say  to  you,  that — 

Honesty  is  one  of  the  first  and  most  important 
principles  to  be  adopted,  to  secure  this  end.  That 
"  honesty  is  the  best  policy,"  is  a  proverb  univer- 
sally allowed  to  be  true.  Never  swerve  from  the 
t<»chings  of  this  proverb,  even  in  the  most  trivial 
19 


218  ESTABLISHING    FIXED    PRINCIPLES. 

degree,  on  any  occasion,  however  trying.  When 
you  are  assailed  by  temptation  to  defraud  another, 
stop  one  moment  and  reflect — call  to  mind  the 
above  maxim  and  reason  with  yourself:  "  If  hon- 
esty is  the  best  policy,  then  dishonesty  in  any  re- 
spect, is  bad  policy — the  uoist  policy— and,  will 
ill  one  way  or  another,  result  to  my  final  injury.' 
The  tendency  of  such  reflections,  will  be  to  ena^' 
ble  you  to  withstand  the  temptation  and  preserve 
your  integrity.  "No  one  ever  did  a  designed  in- 
jury to  another,  without  doing  a  greater  to  him- 
self." These  are  words  of  truth;  and  were  they 
engraven  upon  every  heart,  and  made  to  influence 
every  mind,  how  much  iniquity  would  they  pre- 
vent !  A  dishonest  action  will  revert  upon  the 
head  of  its  author,  with  tenfold  vengeance.  He 
who  cheats  another,  cheats  himself  far  more  deep- 
ly than  his  victim.  He  defrauds  his  victim  of 
perishable  wealth  ;  but  he  defrauds  himself  of 
that  which  is  of  more  value  than  all  the  riches  of 
the  Indies — he  defrauds  himself  of  a  good  name, 
of  the  confidence  and  respect  of  his  fellow-beings, 
and  of  that  peace  of  mind,  the  absence  of  which, 
is  continued  torture.  A  man  in  business  wars 
against  his  own  welfare  in  defrauding  his  cus- 
tomers— in  taking  a  mean  advantage  of  the  igno- 
rance of  those  who  are  so  circumstanced  as  not 
to  know  the  true  value  of  articles.  His  acts  of 
this  nature,  can  not  long  remain  concealed — he  is 
soon  detected ;  and  coiiiiiiuuity  place  a  mark 
upon  bimy  as  dark,  and  deep,  and  enduring  as 


ESTABLISHING    FIXED    PRINCIPLES.  219 

that  upon  the  brow  of  Cain.  Public  confidence 
being  lost,  his  business  dwindles  away,  his  cus- 
tomers forsake  him,  and  wiien  it  is  too  late,  he 
finally  perceives  the  imperishable  truth  of  the 
motto — "honesty  is  the  best  policy."  Conceal- 
ing or  misrepresenting  the  market  price  of  arti- 
cles— selling  goods  or  any  property,  as  perfect, 
which  is  unsound,  or  concealing  the  defects  of 
what  is  disposed  of — are  all  dishonest  and  dis- 
honorable practices,  that  will  result  vastly  more 
lo  your  injury  than  your  benefit.  Never  be  guilty 
of  them,  as  you  value  your  true  peace  and  pros- 
perity. 

Poetry  never  uttered  a  more  evident  truth,  than 
that  which  runs  in  the  following  line — 

"An  honest  man  's  the  noblest  work  of  God." 

The  title  of  an  honest  man,  is  more  to  be  coveted 
than  any  that  can  be  conferred  by  the  favor  of 
royalty.  And  when  we  lie  down  in  the  grave, 
could  there  truly  be  inscribed  upon  the  slab  which 
marks  our  resting  place,  the  epitaph — '■'Here  rest 
the  remains  of  an  Honest  Man''"' — it  would  be 
memento  far  more  honorable  than  the  proudly 
swelling  cenotaph,  or  the  lofty  pyramid. 

Veracity  is  another  principle  which  should  be 
firmly  fixed  in  the  mind,  A  love  of  truth,  with 
an  inflexible  adherence  to  its  guidance,  on  all  oc- 
casions, is  one  of  the  most  noble  characteristics 
than  can  adorn  humanity.  But  what  is  more  un- 
manly and  contemptible,  than  the  habitual  utter- 
ance of  falsehoods  1     He  who  is  addicted  to  this 


520  K8TABHSUIN0    flXED    PRINCIPLES. 

dishonorable  practice,  soon  gains  a  reputation  far 
from  being  enviable  or  desirable — he  is  ranked  in 
that  class  who  are  "  not  to  be  believed  when  they 
speak  the  truth."  Avoid  this  habit  as  ungentle- 
manly  and  wicked — as  only  calculated  to  bring 
upon  you  the  distrust  and  disrespect  of  society. 
While  its  mark  is  upon  you,  no  one  will  confide 
in  you  or  esteem  you.  Let  all  your  communica- 
tions be  characterized  by  strict  truth  and  integrity, 
A.  name  well  established  for  veracity,  will  minis- 
ter much  to  your  enjoyments,  both  in  a  moral  and 
B  pecuniary  pomt  of  view. 

Benevolence  should  also  be  established,  as  one 
of  the  leading  principles  of  your  character.  This 
heavenly  characteristic  is  enjoined  by  religion, 
morality  and  the  condition  of  mankind.  In  every 
community,  there  are  the  rich  and  the  poor — the 
prosperous  and  the  unfortunate — those  who  are 
surrounded  by  plenty,  and  those  who  are  pinched 
by  want.  Should  your  condition  fortunately  be 
the  former,  forget  not  those  who  are  involved  in 
the  difficulties  of  the  latter;  but  impart  to  them 
a  portion  of  your  means,  and  your  kindness  will 
not  go  unrewarded. 

By  benevolence  I  do  not  mean  the  giving  alone 
to  some  mammoth  institution,  or  tiie  support  of 
some  popular  scheme  whose  field  of  labor  is  far 
distant.  It  is  to  be  feared  that  improper  motives 
induce  too  many  to  bestow  their  means  on  these 
projecTi,  and  that  there  is  more  wrong  feeling  in- 
dulg«<5  in  ^Aws  giving,  than  in  withholding.     The 


ESTABLlSHliNO    FlXtD    PRINCIPLES.  221 

benevolence  which  I  would  particularly  recom- 
mend, is  more  of  a  home  character — more  of  a 
domestic  virtue.  It  is  that  emotion  of  pity  and 
kindness,  by  which  your  ear  will  be  open  to  the 
petition  of  distress  at  7jour  own  door^  and  your 
hand  be  made  ready  to  relieve  the  wants  of  the 
poor  in  your  immediate  vicinity  !  These  should 
be  attended  to  Jirst.  If  you  still  possess  the 
means,  you  can  then  widen  the  circle  of  your  be- 
nevolence. And  permit  me  to  say,  that  even  a 
little,  given  to  hush  the  orphan's  wail  and  dry 
the  widow's  tears — to  cause  the  smile  of  plenty 
to  pervade  the  abodes  of  penury  and  want — is  a 
sacrifice  upon  the  altar  of  benevolence,  the  in- 
cense of  which  will  arise  far  higher  toward  the 
throne  of  infinite  Goodness,  than  thousands  pub- 
licly lavished  upon  some  popular  scheme,  to  ac- 
complish you  know  not  what !  Allow  benevo- 
lence to  be  your  pervading  characteristic — be  the 
friend  of  the  friendless,  the  protector  of  the  weak 
and  defenceless,  the  patron  of  the  deserving 
poor — and  you  will  realise  how  sweet  is  the  truth 
of  the  Scripture  declaration — "  It  is  more  blessed 
to  give,  than  to  receive."  . 

19*  ; 


CHAPTER    X. 


STABILITY    OP    PURPOSE. 


The  minds  of  men  differ  in  no  respect  more 
wide,  than  in  stability  of  purpose.  While  some 
are  stable  and  firm,  their  movements  characterised 
by  cautiousness  and  decision,  others  are  equally 
remarkable  for  lack  of  foresight  and  firmness — 
mcapable  of  forming  a  decision  from  patient  re- 
search and  investigation,  and  unable  to  abide  by 
any  decision,  however  formed,  for  any  reasonable 
length  of  time.  This  latter  failing  is  very  un- 
fortunate. "  A  man  without  decision,  can  never 
be  said  to  belong  to  himself;  since,  if  he  dared 
to  assert  that  he  did,  the  puny  force  of  some  cause, 
about  as  powerful,  you  would  have  supposed,  as 
a  spider,  may  make  a  capture  of  the  hapless 
boaster  the  very  next  moment,  and  triumphantly 
exhibit  the  futility  of  the  determinations  by  which 
he  was  to  have  proved  the  independence  of  his 
understanding  and  his  will.  He  belongs  to  Avhat- 
ever  can  seize  him ;  and  innumerable  things  do 
actually  verify  their  claim  on  him,  and  arrest 

222 


ei-ABILlTY    OF    PDRPOSE.  223 

him  as  he  tries  to  go  along;  as  twigs  and  chips, 
floating  near  the  edge  of  a  river,  are  intercepted 
by  every  weed,  and  whirled  in  every  little  eddy. 
Having  concluded  on  a  design,  he  may,  pledge 
himself  to  accomplish  it — if  the  hundred  diver- 
sities of  feeling  which  may  come  within  the 
week,  will  let  him.  As  his  character  precludes 
all  foresight  of  his  conduct,  he  may  sit  and  won- 
der what  form  and  direction  his  views  and  ac- 
tions are  destined  to  take  to-morrow ;  as  a  farmer 
has  often  to  acknowledge  the  next  day's  pro- 
ceedings are  at  the  disposal  of  its  winds  and 
clouds."* 

How  often  do  we  discover  people  of  this  char- 
acter— generally  denominated  ••  fifkle  minded.'' 
They  are  seldom  satisfied  with  their  present  con- 
dition or  employment — preferring  almost  any 
other  situation  to  the  one  they  happen  to  occupy, 
and  any  other  business  to  that  in  which  they  are 
engaged.  Their  minds  are  usually  filled  with 
some  new  and  wonderful  project,  or  employed  in 
unfolding  some  magnificent  discovery,  which  they 
believe  will  astonish  the  world,  and  bring  inex- 
haustible wealth  into  their  possession.  Such 
people  are  generally  industrious — not,  however, 
in  that  steady  application  to  useful  business, 
which  will  in  time  yield  a  certain  reward — but  in 
building  stupendous  and  beautiful  "  castles  in  the 
air,"  which  are  reared  this  hour,  only  to  be  de- 
molished the  next ! 

♦Poster's  Essays. 


m  STAfilLlTY    OF    PURPOSE. 

The  "  fickle-minded"  man  is  not  satisfied  with 
doin^'weU — he  is  not  willing  to"  let  well  alone"— 
and  his  mind  i?  constantly  engaged  in  devising 
schemes  to  do  better  !  In  entering  a  new  occu- 
pation, he  looks  at  every  thing  through  the  me- 
dium of  an  ardent  imagination.  He  helieves  he 
shall  realise  speedy  and  abundant  wealth  from  his 
change  of  employment;  and  for  a  season  he  is 
industrious  and  persevering.  But  at  length  the 
gildings  of  the  imagination  become  effaced  by 
sober  reality  ;  and  when  he  discovers  the  true  na- 
ture of  his  business — its  actual  advantages  and 
disadvantages — it  almost  invariably  falls  short  of 
his  expectations  ;  and  his  industry  slackens,  his 
energy  fails — he  becomes  discouraged,  and  aban- 
dons his  occupation  for  some  new  scheme,  which 
more  than  probably,  will  also  flatter  him  for  a 
season,  and  again  end  in  disappointment.  And 
the  man  "  wonders  how  all  the  embarrassments  in 
the  world  happen  to  meet  exactly  in  his  way,  to 
place  him  in  those  situations  for  which  he  is  pe- 
culiarly unadapted,  and  which  he  is  also  willing 
to  think  no  other  man  could  have  acted  with  such 
facility  or  confidence.  Incapable  of  setting  up  a 
firm  purpose  on  the  basis  of  things  as  they  are^ 
he  is  often  employed  in  vain  speculations  on  some 
diSerent  supposable  state  of  things,  which  would 
have  saved  him  from  all  his  perplexity  and  irres- 
olution." People  who  give  way  to  this  instabili- 
ty, can  not  prosper  to  any  extent.  They  are  con- 
stantly  liable   to   be   deceived  and  involved  in 


STABILITY    OP    PURPOSE.  225 

difficulty.  Their  sanguine  temperament  leads 
them  to  look  upon  impossibilities  as  probabili- 
tics,  and  upon  probabilities,  as  certainties  1  From 
this  credulous,  inconsistent  disposition — this  m- 
r.essant  inclination  to  change — this  desire,  while 
doing  well  to  do  much  better — how  many  have 
been  reduced  from  competency  and  fair  pros- 
pects, to  utter  ruin  and  despair  I  ^ 
I  have  already  remarked  that  the  minds  of  men 
naturally  diflfer  very  materially  in  respect  to  firm- 
ness and  stability  of  purpose.  But  a  deficiency 
in  these  valuable  qualifications,  need  not  be  an  ir- 
reparable defect.  It  can,  to  a  good  degree,  be 
remedied  by  proper  exertion  and  application. 
When  you  become  sensible  that  your  mind  is 
constitutionally  inclined  to  fickleness  and  insta- 
bility— (and  a  little  candid  self-examination  will 
enlighten  you  upon  this  point) — you  should  then 
call  up  all  your  energies  to  counteract  this  ten- 
dency— and  it  should  be  your  study  to  strengthen 
these  weak  properties  of  the  mind,  by  a  constant 
and  watchful  guard  upon  its  operations.  By  prop- 
er exertion,  the  mind  can  be  trained  into  a  good 
degree  of  firmness  and  decision,  so  that  its  prompt- 
ings  may  not  be  changed  by  every  varying  wind 
By  obtaining  the  mastery  over  your  mental  pow- 
ers, you  may  concentrate  them  upon  any  given 
subject  within  your  comprehension,  and  search 
out  its  foundation,  its  bearings  and  influences, 
and  ascertain  the  weight  of  the  claims  it  has  upon 
your  attention. 


M8  STABILITY    OF    PURPOSE. 

To  act  safelyy  requires  you  to  act  wisely,  cau- 
tiously and  firmly.     You  should  ponder  well  all 

the  measures  you  adopt.  Never  cnur  upon  any 
important  undertaking  rashly,  at  the  impulse  of 
any  fleeting  emotion,  but  be  deliberate  and  reflec- 
tive— examine  it  in  all  its  bearings,  and  weigh 
well  its  probable  results.  You  should  not  forget 
that  there  are  always  two  sides  in  the  appearance 
of  every  project — a  bright  and  a  dark  side.  Give 
yourself  no  labor  in  examining  the  bright  side — 
for  that  will  usually  present  itself  in  colors  suf- 
ficiently attractive.  But  be  diligent  in  thoroughly 
investigating  the  dark  side  of  the  picture.  Look 
with  an  eye  of  scrutiny,  at  the  worst  aspect  it  can 
assume — endeavor  to  discover  its  greatest  disad- 
vantages and  its  most  remote  liabilities  to  failure. 
On  the  one  hand,  you  should  not  aggravate  the 
appearance  of  difficulties,  or  conjure  up  vain  and 
unreal  obstacles — and  neither  should  you  neglect 
lo  recognize  every  well-grounded  objection,  and 
look  it  tairly  in  the  face.  And  from  all  your 
maans  of  information,  deliberately  form  your 
judgment,  as  to  the  most  proper  course  to  pursue. 
And  when  you  have  once  engaged  in  any  honora- 
ble occupation,  or  entered  upon  any  proper  branch 
of  business,  let  all  instability,  and  fickleness, 
and  doubt,  be  banished  from  the  mind — call 
into  requisition  all  your  effective  powers — be 
industrious,  persevering,  economical,  and  pa- 
tient  let  no    new    visionary    scheme    charm 

your  attention    into   another  channel— and  you 


STABILITY   OF  PURPOSE.  227 

will  be  on  the  high  road  that  leads  to  prosper- 

The  mania  for  speculation  has  been  the  ruin  ot 
multitudes  in  our  land.  Those  who  are  brought 
under  the  sway  of  its  delusions,  are  led  to  despise 
the  slower  method  of  their  fathers,  of  obtaining 
wealth  by  honest  industry  and  perseverance,  as 
tedious  and  useless ;  and  it  is  their  constant  study 
to  devise  some  scheme,  by  which  they  can  leap 
at  once  into  boundless  riches.  This  thirst  for 
speculation,  has  been  the  source  of  immense  evil 
to  our  country.  And  not  the  least  among  its  evils, 
is,  that  it  leads  to  the  neglect  of  the  common,  yet 
most  useful  avocations  of  life — those  branches  of 
productive  industry,  upon  which  our  general 
welfare  depends — and  begets  not  only  fickleness 
of  mind,  but  idleness,  chicanery  and  corruption. 
Young  men  should  beware  of  this  rage  for  spec- 
ulation. Where  it  enriches  one,  it  plunges  a 
thousand  into  poverty.  It  seems,  indeed,  to  be 
nothing  less  than  a  strife  among  a  certain  class, 
to  defraud  one  another,  and  the  public  at  large ; 
and  therefore,  the  honorable  and  the  upright  can 
not  with  propriety  engage  in  its  excesses.  The 
only  laudable  and  safe  method  of  acquiring 
wealth,  is  to  engage  in  some  occupation  that 
is  useful  to  your  fellow-beings ;  and  if  you 
are  industrious,  prudent,  persevering  and  sta^ 
ble-minded,  you  can  not  avoid  obtaining  a  com- 
fortable livelihood,  with  the  prospect  of  secur* 
ingr  in  du€  time  a  sufficient   amount  of  wealth, 


229  stabilitV  oi  purpose. 

to  give  you  all  the  enjoyment  that  can  flow  from 
riches. 

The  old  maxim  warns  us  not  to  have  too  many 
irons  in  the  fire,  lest  some  should  burn.  Dr. 
Clarke  imagines  this  to  be  a  needless  caution. 
He  says  a  man  can  not  have  too  many  irons  in 
the  fire,  and  that  he  should  thrust  in  "  shovel, 
tongs  and  poker."  But  I  differ  from  the  Doctor 
in  this  respect.  It  is  true,  there  are  minds  so 
bountifully  endowed,  possessing  so  great  a  variety 
of  powers,  so  much  energy,  discrimination,  and 
elasticity,  that  they  can  successfully  engage  in 
various  branches  of  business  at  the  same  time. 
But  such  minds  are  more  rare  than  common. 
The  generality  of  mankind  will  succeed  far  bet- 
ter by  directing  all  their  attention  to  one  branch 
of  business,  than  by  distracting  it  among  a  vari- 
ety. It  is  wise,  therefore,  still  to  adhere  to  the 
old  maxim,  and  beware  of  having  too  many  irons 
in  the  fire. 

Let  not  the  stability  of  you  mind  be  shaken 
by  ill-luck  or  by  misfortunes.  "  Don't  be  dis- 
couraged, if  in  the  outset  of  life,  things  do  not 
go  on  smoothly.  It  seldom  happens  that  the 
hopes  Ave  cherish  of  the  future  are  realized.  The 
path  of  life  in  the  prospect,  appears  smooth  and 
level  enough  ;  but  when  we  come  to  travel  it,  we 
find  it  all  up  hill,  and  generally  rough  enough. 
The  journey  is  a  laborious  one,  and  whether  poor 
or  wealthy,  high  or  low,  we  shall  find  it  to  our 
disappointment  if  we  build  on  another  calcula- 


STABILITY    or    PURPOSE.  239 

Hon.     To  endure  what  is  to  be  endured,  with  33 

much  cheerfulness  as  possible,  and  to  elbow  our 
way  as  easily  as  we  can  through  the  great  crowd, 
hoping  for  little,  yet  striving  for  much,  is  perhaps 
the  true  plan.  But  don't  be  discouraged,  if  oc- 
casionally you  slip  down  by  the  way,  and  your 
neighbors  tread  over  ymi  h  little — in  other  words, 
don't  let  a  failure  or  two  dishearten  you.  Acci- 
dents happen — miscalculations  will  sometimes  be 
(nade — things  will  turn  out  differently  from  our 
expectations,  and  we  may  be  sufferers.  It  is 
worth  while  to  remember  that  fortune  is  like  the 
skies  in  April,  sometimes  cloudy,  and  sometimes 
clear  and  favovable:  and  as  it  would  be  folly  to 
despair  of  again  seeing  the  sun,  because  to-day  it 
is  stormy,  so  it  is  unwise  to  sink  into  desponden- 
cy when  fortune  frowns :  since  in  the  common 
course  of  thi'^gs,  she  may  surely  be  expected  to 
smile  again.  Don't  be  discouraged,  under  any 
circumstances.  Go  steadly  forward.  Rather 
consult  your  own  conscience,  than  the  opinions 
of  men,  though  the  last  are  not  to  be  disregarded. 
Be  industrious;  be  frugal;  be  honest;  deal  in 
perfect  kindness  with  all,  exercising  a  neighbor- 
y  and  obliging  spirit  in  your  whole  intercourse; 
and  if  you  do  not  prosper  as  rapidly  as  any  of 
your  neighbors,  depend  upon  it,  you  will  be  as 
happy."* 

♦Monthly  Repository. 
20 


CHAPTER    XI. 


POLITICS. 


I  DEEM  it  not  improper,  in  addressing  young 
men,  to  make  a  few  observations  respecting  poli- 
tics. It  is  well  for  tlie  stability  of  our  republican 
institutions,  that  the  people  are  divided  into  par- 
ties. This  leads  to  a  strict  scrutiny  of  our  public 
functionaries — to  the  exposition  of  their  faults  and 
a  commendation  of  their  wisdom  and  virtue — and 
all  this  has  a  tendency  to  keep  them  faithful  in 
the  discharge  of  their  duties. 

There  are  two  prominent  evils  in  regard  to  poli- 
tics, against  which  young  men  should  be  upon 
their  guard.  The  first,  is  the  changing  from  par- 
ty to  party,  for  the  purpose  of  obtaining  popular 
applause,  or  office,  or  emolument.  Such  con- 
duct betrays  an  entire  destitution  of  moral  prin- 
ciple and  rectitude.  If  you  adopt  these  motives 
as  the  basis  of  your  political  bias  and  proceedings, 
it  is  quite  certain,  although  you  may  be  success- 
ful for  a  season,  that  your  object  will  eventually 
be  discovered,  you  character  and  influence  will  be 

230 


POLITICS.  231 

lost,  and  all  parties  will  despise  and  neglect  you. 
A  shuffling,  time-serving  demagogue,  a  political 
weathercock,  veering  in  the  direction  of  every 
wind  that  blows,  without  regard  to  principle,  is  a 
most  despicable  character ;  unworthy  the  privi- 
leges of  a  freeman. 

The  other  evil  to  which  I  allude,  is  upon  the 
contrary  extreme — a  blind  and  servile  adherence 
to  'party — an  infatuation,  by  which  every  meas- 
ure, however  dangerous,  is  supported,  that  is  dic- 
tated by  the  leaders,  the  wire-pullers  of  thcparty^ 
and  every  principle,  however  valuable  and  salu- 
tary, opposed  and  contemned,  whenever  they  give 
the  signal — an  infatuation,  under  the  degrading 
influence  of  which,  men  abandon  their  birih-right 
of  freedom  of  opinion,  and  are  willing  to  see  with 
the  eyes,  and  hear  with  the  ears,  and  understand 
with  the  judgment  of  those  whom  they  permit 
to  lead  them.  This  servility  to  party  tactics,  par- 
ty measures  and  party  men,  is  an  evil  greatly  to 
be  deprecated.  It  is  rife  with  dangers — dangers 
that  reach  the  very  vitals  of  our  free  institutions. — 
Should  the  day  ever  arrive  when  this  degrading 
party  servitude  becomes  general,  when  it  winds 
its  enslaving  chains  around  the  great  mass  of  the 
people,  the  sun  of  this  Republic  will  wane  to  the 
horizon,  and  early  set  in  clouds  and  darkness. 

In  former  years,  it  was  the  fortune  of  the  writer 
of  these  chapters,  to  be  engrossed  to  no  inconsid- 
erable degree,  in  the  political  strifes  of  the  day. 
From  the  peculiarly  favorable  opportunities  which 


232  POLITICS. 

I  then  enjoyed  of  judging  the  designs  and  motivei 
of  political  leaders^  1  became  fully  satisfied,  that 
the  degrading  principle  of  servility  to  parly  meas- 
ures, is  designedly  diffused  through  community, 
by  interested  men  for  their  personal  aggrandize- 
ment— and  that  the  strife,  and  clamor,  and  bitter 
acrimony  that  convulses  society  at  the  approach 
of  important  elections,  is  caused  mainly  by  the 
struggle  between  the  "i«s"  and  the  "o7fis" — be- 
tween those  who  are  ?« office  and  wish  to  keep  in, 
and  those  who  are  out  and  desire  to  get  in !  Were 
it  not  for  the  contentions  of  these  two  classes,  ihe 
clangor  of  political  battle  would  be  hushed,  and 
the  people  would  calmly  and  peaceably  adopt  the 
proper  measures  to  continue  our  institutions  ia 
their  purity,  and  keep  the  wheels  of  government 
in  well  balanced  motion.  Young  men  should 
be  aware  of  these  things,  that  they  may  "see 
through"  the  sophistical  and  bombastic  declama- 
tion of  political  demagogues.  "Measures  and 
not  men,"  was  the  motto  of  the  founders  of  our 
Republic;  and  it  still  remains  the  popular  cry  of 
all  parties.  But  it  requires  only  a  single  glance  at 
the  proceedings  of  politicians  at  the  present  day, 
to  discover  that,  with  too  many  of  them,  this 
maxim  has  become  reversed — and  their  great  ob- 
ject is  men  and  not  measures  ! 

It  devolves  upon  the  young  men  who  are  now 
coming  upon  the  stage  of  action,  to  arrest  the 
progress  of  this  growing  evil,  and  to  diffuse  abroad 
a  love  for  political  independence  and  purity.     To 


POLITICS.  233 

this  end,  allow  me  to  urge  every  young  man  whose 
eye  rests  upon  these  lines,  not  to  attach  himself 
so  strongly  to  any  party,  that  he  can  not  without 
improper  bias,  exercise  that  privilege  of  deciding 
for  himself  upon  the  propriety  or  impropriety  of 
principles  and  measures,  which  is  the  invaluable 
legacy  bequeathed  to  us  by  our  fathers  !  Avoid  all 
party  chains  and  shackles,  and  all  'party  measures, 
that  are  not  plainly  and  strictly  for  the  benefit 
of  the  whole  body  of  the  people — all  attach- 
ments to  men  and  names — every  thing  that  can 
have  a  tendency  to  blind  the  judgment  or  deaden 
the  love  for  principle.  Understand  me — I  do  not 
object  to  political  parties.  In  a  Republic  like  this, 
there  must  be  parties  while  men  continue  tu  differ 
honestly  in  opinion.  But  I  object  to  that  degra- 
ding attachment  to  party,  by  which  the  judgment 
is  so  blinded  as  to  consider  the  interest  of  the 
party  paramount  to  all  other  interests — that  dan- 
gerous infatuation,  which  says — "  the  party  Tc\M%i 
be  sustained,  at  all  hazards  V^  Let  it  be  your 
highest  ambition  to  be  a  republican,  in  the  broad 
and  true  acceptation  of  that  word — a  lover  of  en- 
lightened and  well  regulated  liberty,  of  equ?.l 
rights  and  privileges — a  supporter  of  the  best  m- 
terests  of  your  country,  irrespective  of  the  rise  or 
fall  of  parties  or  men.  When  measures  are 
brought  to  your  consideration,  do  not  inquire  who 
originated  them,  or  by  what  party  are  they  sup- 
ported, or  what  men  will  they  elevate  or  over- 
throw ? — but  only  ask,  are  the  proposed  measures 
20* 


234  POLITICS. 

called  for  by  existing  exigencies — are  ihey  con- 
sistent with  the  genius  of  our  free  institutions — 
are  they  compatible  with  republican  principles- 
are  they  calculated  to  enhance  the  public  welfare  ? 
If,  after  strict  an4, candid  examination,  you  can 
answer  these  inquiries  in  the  affirmative,  support 
the  measures;  but  if  not,  reject  them  entirely. 
And  when  an  individual  is  held  up  for  public 
station,  let  not  the  question  be,  by  whom  was  he 
nominated — or  to  what  party  does  he  belong? — 
but  ask,  what  are  his  principles,  his  abilities?— 
apply  the  text  of  the  patriot  Jefferson — "  is  he  ca- 
pable, is  he  honest,  is  he  faithful?"  Never  give 
him  your  support  until  you  are  perfectly  satisfied 
upon  these  points.  Let  the  young  me»n  of  this 
Union  free  themselves  from  all  debasing  mana- 
cles, from  every  improper  bias,  and  pursue  an 
upright,  manly,  independent  course  in  regard  to 
politics,  and  the  evils  that  are  now  sapping  the 
foundations  of  our  Republic,  will  become  anni- 
hilated. And  I  can  not  avoid  here  recommend- 
ing young  men  to  patronize  more  extensively, 
those  public  prints  that  are  neutral  respecting  poli- 
tics— those  papers  which  freely  and  boldly  can- 
vass the  political  questions  of  the  day,  without 
becoming  attached  to  any  party  or  any  set  of  men. 
One  publication  of  this  character,  conducted  with 
ability  and  discrimination,  will  throw  more  light 
upon  the  actual  state  of  the  country,  the  true  na- 
ture of  its  interests,  and  the  character  and  ten- 
denoies  of  the  current  and  prominent  measures 


POLITICS.  ?35 

of  t'ie  limesj  than  a  score  of  those  papers  that 
are  wholly  devoted  lo  the  upbuilding  of  a  partic- 
ular party.  Those  young  men,  therefore,  who 
are  more  deeply  interested  in  the  welfare  of  the 
whole  country,  than  in  the  welfare  of  political 
parties  and  individual  aspirants,  will  do  well  to 
become  patrons  of  these  neutral  periodicals. 


CHAPTER    XII. 

MARRIAGE. 

Young  men  should  allow  matrimony,  to  be  a 
frequent  subject  of  serious  reflection.*  I  repeat, 
serious  reflection.  Although  young  people  are 
generally  in  the  habit  of  viewing  marriage  as  a 
light,  pleasant,  laughable  matter,  of  no  great  mo- 
ment, yet  it  is  a  subject  which  deeply  involves 
th^ir  enjoyment,  their  peace  and  pro?:perity 
through  life,  and  therefore  it  is  one  of  weight 
and  importance.  Marriage  is  one  of  the  vital 
institutions  of  civilized  life.  In  whatever  com- 
munity it  holds  a  high  and  sacred  rank,  it  is  a 
prolific  source  of  the  social  virtues  and  enjoy- 
ments. But  wherever  its  holy  obligations  are 
unknown  or  unheeded,  man  sinks  to  the  level  of 
the  brute,  in  regard  to  every  thing  that  is  eleva- 
ting and  ennobling. 

♦  I  would  refer  the  reader  to  the  Fifth  T.ecfure  of 
•'  Combe's  Moral  Philosophv,"  for  some  useful  remarks 
respecting  marriage,  which  should  be  read  and  heeded  by 
every  youth  who  expects  to  enter  the  matrimonial  state. 

236 


MARRIAGE.  237 

Marriage  is  a  duty — made  so  by  oar  Creator. 
In  forming  the  man,  he  did  not  intend  liim  to  be 
a  lone  and  solitary  being.  The  sacred  historian 
instructs  us  that  the  "  Lord  God  said,  it  is  not 
good  that  the  man  should  be  alone ;  I  will  make 
him  a  help  meet  for  him."  From  the  body  of 
Adam,  the  woman  was  formed  j  and  Deity  utter- 
ed the  authoritative  requirement,  "  therefore  shall 
a  man  leave  his  father  and  his  mother,  and  shall 
cleave  unto  his  wife,  and  they  shall  be  one  flesh." 
Here  is  a  strict  command  to  enter  the  marriage 
state. 

Matrimony  is  made  a  duty  by  nature.  The  hu- 
man race  are  equally  divided  into  the  two  sexes, 
male  and  female.  They  are  evidently  intended 
for  each  other's  society.  The  woman,  from  her 
delicate  constitution,  stands  in  need  of  the  aid, 
the  protection  and  support  of  the  sterner  and  more 
vigorous  sex.  And  it  is  equally  necessary  that 
the  man  should  be  civilized,  polished,  and  curbed 
in  the  outbreaking  of  his  impetuous  passions,  un- 
der the  influence  of  the  purer  mind  and  sweeter 
affections  of  woman.  There  is  no  way  in  which 
these  mutual  benefits  can  be  so  properly  and  so 
beneficially  bestowed,  as  through  the  institution 
of  marriage.  The  ties  t!ius  formed,  call  into  ac- 
tivity, all  the  kindest  and  holiest  afi'ections  of  our 
natures — they  b'ing  out  the  bright  virtues  and 
excellencies  of  the  human  heart,  and  awaken  to 
iife,  that  love  which  sweetens  the  uneven  jour- 
ney of  earthly  existence. 


SdO  MARKIAUE. 

Every  young  man  should  make  it  the  settled 
resolution  of  his  mind,  to  enter  the  matrimonial 
state.  This  should  be  one  of  the  important  ulte- 
rior objects,  to  which  his  earlier  plans  and  exer- 
tions should  tend.  To  take  upon  himself  the 
marriage  obligations,  with  proper  views  and  in 
proper  circumstances,  should  be  the  goal  at  which 
every  honorable  young  man  should  endeavor  early 
to  arrive.  And  he  should  never  consider  him- 
self as  perfectly  settled  in  life,  and  prepared  to 
take  his  proper  station  in  society,  until  he  obtains 
this  "help  meet,"  this  better  half. 

"  The  wish  to  marry,  if  prudently  indulged, 
will  lead  to  honest  and  persevering  exertions  to 
obtain  a  reasonable  income — one  which  will  be 
satisfactory  to  the  object  of  your  hopes,  as  well 
as  to  her  friends.  He  who  is  determined  on  living 
a  single  life,  very  naturally  contracts  his  endeav- 
ors to  his  own  narrow  personal  wants,  or  else 
squanders  freely,  in  the  belief  that  he  can  always 
procure  enough  to  support  himself.  Indeed  it 
can  not  have  escaped  even  the  careless  observer, 
that  in  proportion  as  an  individual  relinquishes 
the  idea  of  matrimony,  just  in  the  same  propor- 
tion do  his  mind  and  feelings  contract.  On  the 
contrary,  that  hope  which  aims  at  a  beloved  part- 
ner— a  family — a  fireside — will  lead  its  possessor 
to  activity  in  all  his  conduct.  It  will  elicit  his 
talents,  and  urge  them  to  their  full  energy,  and 
probably  call  in  the  aid  of  economy  ;  a  quality  so 
indispensable  to  every  condition  of  life.     The  sin- 


MARRIAGE.  S39 

gle  consideration,  '  What  would  she  think,  were 
she  now  to  see  me  V  called  up  by  the  intrusion  of 
a  favorite  image — how  often  has  it  stimulated  a 
noble  mind  and  heart  to  deeds  which  otherwise 
had  never  been  performed  !"*  "  The  first  bless- 
ing," says  Bishop  Taylor,  "  God  gave  to  man,  was 
society;  and  that  society  was  a  marriage;  and 
that  marriage  was  confederate  by  God  himself,  and 
hallowed  by  a  blessing.  Celibacy,  like  the  fly  in 
the  heart  of  an  apple,  sits  alone,  and  is  confined, 
and  dies  in  singularity.  But  marriage,  like  the 
useful  bee,  builds  a  house,  and  gathers  sweetness 
from  every  flower,  and  unites  into  societies  and  re- 
publics, and  sends  out  colonies,  and  feeds  the 
world  with  delicacies,  and  keeps  order,  and  ex- 
ercises many  virtues,  and  promotes  the  interest  of 
mankind,  and  is  that  state  of  good  things  to  which 
God  hath  designed  the  present  constitution  of  the 
world." 

Some  young  men  deem  it  exceedingly  wise  to 
make  up  their  minds  not  to  marry  at  all.  But  this 
determination  is  as  ungenerous  and  dishonorable, 
as  it  is  unnatural  and  unreasonable.  And  those 
who  form  it,  are  treasuring  up  to  themselves  evils 
and  sorrows.  The  disadvantages  of  a  single  life 
are  not  so  sensibly  experienced  while  youth 
and  health  continue.  But  when  old  age  creeps 
on  and  the  bachelor  becomes  wearied  with  the 
amusements  of  youth,  and  is  necessitated  to  seek 
for  other  sources  of  enjoyment,  then  he  feels  the 
*  Young  Man's  Guide. 


MO  MARRIAGE. 

desolation  of  his  condition.  Avoided  in  society^ 
as  one  who  is  crusty,  sour,  cold-hearted  and  aus- 
tere, with  no  domestic  circle,  no  affectionate  com-" 
jpanion  or  loving  offspring,  to  welcome,  and  cheer, 
and  smile  upon  him  in  his  hours  of  retirement — 
fie  feels  tlial  he  is  indeed  alone — a  forlorn,  isola- 
red,  forsaken  being  ;  the  object  of  the  scorn  of  the 
young,  and  the  derision  of  the  old,  and  the  gener- 
al biitl  of  ridicule  and  sarcasm.  There  is  no  in- 
dividual in  community,  more  generally  disliked 
and  unenvied,  than  the  old  bachelor!  When 
sickness  overtakes  him,  he  experiences  still  more 
keenly,  his  lonely  condition.  With  no  guardian 
angel  hovering  around  his  couch,  to  present  the 
soothing  cordial,  and  to  sympathise  in  his  suf- 
ferings, he  lingers  upon  the  bed  of  disease — is 
administered  toby  the  careless  hand  of  strangers, 
in  accordance  to  his  ability  to  rermuicrate  them — 
and  jBnally  dies  unwept  and  unregretted,  and  his 
name  sinks  into  oblivion  !  Such  is  the  career  of 
the  bachelor!     How  cheerless  and  uninviting! 

The  difference  in  the  condition  of  single  ladies 
and  gentlemen,  is  strikingly  obvious.  Many  la- 
dies remain  single  through  life,  more  from  the 
force  of  circumstances,  than  from  choice.  Young 
men  should  remember  that  the  condition  of  ladies, 
in  regard  to  matrimony  is  peculiar.  From  the 
usages  of  society,  ladies  can  not  seek  out  and  se- 
lect companions  ;  but  they  must  remain  to  be 
sought.  They  can  reject  proposals,  but  they  can 
not  make  them — they  can  decline  alliance  with 


MARRIAGE.  24t 

individuals  whom  they  dislike,  but  they  can  not 
propose  it  to  those  whom  they  would  choose. — 
From  these  restraints,  imposed  by  the  rules  of 
propriety,  a  lady  is  not  to  be  supposed  to  remain 
single  from  aversion  to  that  institution  of  mar- 
riage, which  has  been  formed  by  the  Creator, 
She  is  not,  therefore,  to  be  disrespected  on  this 
account.  But  the  bachelor,  from  his  superior 
advantages  of  selection,  must  remain  single  only 
through  choice;  and  thus  makes  himself  justly 
the  object  of  animadversion  and  contempt! 

A  young  man  has  no  "right  to  sport  with  the 
affections  of  a  young  woman,  in  any  way  what- 
ever. Vanity  is  generally  the  tempter  in  this 
case;  a  desire  to  be  regarded  as  being  admired 
by  the  women;  a  very  despicable  species  of  van- 
ity, but  frequently  mischievous,  notwithstanding. 
You  do  not,  indeed,  actually,  in  so  many  words, 
promise  to  marry  ;  but  the  general  tenor  of  your 
language  and  deportment  has  that  meaning  ;  you 
know  that  your  meaning  is  so  understood;  and 
if  you  have  not  such  meaning — if  you  be  fixed 
by  some  previous  engagement  with,  or  greater 
liking  for,  another — if  you  know  you  are  here 
sowing  the  seeds  of  disappointment — and  if  you 
persevere  in  spite  of  the  admonitions  of  con- 
science— you  are  guilty  of  deliberate  deception, 
injustice  and  cruelty.  You  make  to  God  an 
ungrateful  return  for  those  endowments  which 
have  enabled  you  to  achieve  this  inglorious  and 
unmanly  triumph  ;  and  if,  as  is  frequently  the 
21 


S4S  Marriagi:. 

case,  you  glory  in  such  triumph,  you  may  have 
person,  riches,  talents  to  excite  envy  ;  but  every 
just  and  humane  man  will  abhor  your  heart."* 

The  proper  time  for  marriage,  is  a  subject  of 
some  moment.  You  should  not  enter  the  matri- 
monial state,  until  you  are  competent  to  support 
a  family  in  circumstances  of  comfort.  There  is 
a  Spanish  proverb  which  says,  "a  husband  with- 
out ability,  is  like  a  house  without  a  roof"  The 
man  who  has  not  the  ability  to  provide  for  a  fami- 
ly, would  entail  wretchedness  upon  himself,  and 
those  connected  with  him,  were  he  to  be  married. 
But  in  this  land  of  plenty,  there  are  no  young 
men  possessing  health  and  habits  of  industry 
and  economy,  who  are  incapable  of  maintain- 
ing a  family,  by  the  time  they  arrive  at  a  suita- 
ble age  for  wedlock.  Early  marriages  are  pref- 
erable to  late  ones.  By  delaying  until  middle 
life,  or  old  age,  the  habits  and  temper  of  the 
parties  becomes  fixed,  and  it  is  with  great  diffi- 
culty that  they  can  adapt  themselves  to  each 
other's  dispositions,  so  as  to  pass  pleasantly 
through  life — though  it  is  better  to  marry  late  in 
life,  than  not  at  all.  As  a  general  rule,  young 
men  should  not  marry  before  the  age  of  four  or 
five  and  twenty,  nor  delay  it,  except  where  circum- 
stances imperiously  demand,  after  thirty.  "In 
Wurtemberg  it  is  illegal  for  any  young  man  to 
marry  before  the  age  of  twenty-five,  or  any  young 
woman  before  eighteen  ;  and  no  man  is  allowed 
•  Guide 


MARRIAGE.  243 

to  marry  at  any  age,  unless  he  can  shew  to  the 
priest,  his  ability  to  provide  for  a  wife  and  fami- 
ly. Such  laws  are  extremely  rational  and  judi- 
cious."* 

The  proper  qualifications  of  a  wife,  is  a  topic 
in  which  youn<^  men  are  deeply  interested.  It 
has  been  remarked — probably  by  some  crusty  old 
bachelor — tnat  choosing  a  wife,  is  like  buying  a 
ticket  in  a  lottery.  Were  young  men  blind  and 
deaf,  or  void  of  discrimination,  this  assertion 
might  be  true.  But  to  those  youth  who  see  and 
hear,  and  who  do  not  allow  their  imagination  to 
runaway  with  their  judgment,  the  selection  of  a 
companion  need  not  be  a  matter  of  great  uncer- 
tainty. In  choosing  a  wife,  you  should  be  soli- 
citous to  obtain  one  who  is  good  and  useful,  rath- 
er than  one  who  is  only  beautiful  and  accom- 
plished. Say  what  we  will,  in  regard  to  beauty 
of  person,  and  exercise  as  much  caution  as  may 
be,  against  its  attractions,  still  it  will  exercise  all 
the  influence  it  deserves.  I  do  not  caution  you 
against  selecting  a  young  woman  who  is  hand- 
some ;  but  I  warn  you  against  choosing  a  wife 
whose  only  attraction  is  beauty  of  person.  The 
morning  cloud  and  the  early  dew  are  not  more 
fleeting,  than  comeliness  of  form  and  features. 
He  who  marries  a  lady  whose  only  desirable 
qualifications  are  a  handsome  face  and  person, 
will  in  a  few  years,  perceive  that  the  object  of  his 
choice  has  become  faded  and  pl^in  ;  and  beauty, 
•  Moral  Philosophy. 


2\a  MARRlAUe. 

her  only  auraction,  having  tied,  there  is  great 
danger  that  alienation  of  heart  and  a  life  of 
wretchedness  will  ensue.  While  pergonal  \u'au- 
ly  will  ex?rcise  an  inliueiice  upon  young  men,  I 
would  urge  you  to  seek  for  other  qualifications  of 
a  less  fleeting  class;  and  if  you  do  not  observe 
them  in  the  female  who  attracts  your  attention, 
beware  of  a  union  with  her.  If  a  man  marries 
a  doll  because  it  is  a  doll,  he  must  attribute  it  to 
his  own  weakness,  if  he  is  doomed  to  discover 
that  his  companion  possesses  no  other  attractions 
bul  those  of  a  doll ! 

You  should  also  beware  of  any  undue  influ- 
ence from  useless  accomplishments.  A  young 
lady  may  dance  gracefully,  sing  delightfully,  ex- 
ecute music  skilfully,  and  have  at  her  tongue's 
end  the  adventures  of  the  heroes  and  heroines  of 
all  the  popular  novels  of  the  day,  and  yet  if  she 
possesses  a  sour  disposition,  an  irascible  temper, 
a  cold,  ungenerous  heart,  and  is  ignorant  of  do- 
..*esiic  duties,  she  would  make  a  poor  and  profit- 
less companion.     Such  ladies, 

"May  do  very  well  for  maidens  or  aunts, 
But,  believe  me,  they'll  nc"«'r  make  wives." 

"  There's  many  a  good  wife  that  can  neither 
sing  nor  dance  well."  "  I  ar«v  an  old  fellow," 
says  the  poet  Cowper,  in  onb  of  his  letters  to 
Hurdis,  "  but  I  had  once  my  dancing  days  as  you 
have  now;  yet  I  never  could  find  that  I  could 
learn  half  so  much  of  a  woman's  character  by 
dancing  with  her,  as  by  conversing  with  her  at 


MARRIAGE.  245 

home,  when  1  could  observe  her  behavior  at  the 
table,  at  the  fireside,  and  in  all  the  trying  circum- 
stances of  domestic  life.  We  are  all  good  when 
we  are  pleased  ;  but  she  is  the  good  woman  who 
wants  not  the  fiddle  to  sweeten  her."  A  ball- 
room, a  party,  or  the  church,  is  a  poor  place  to 
select  a  wife.  The  fairest  appearances  are  there 
put  forth ;  but  you  know  not  the  faults  and  im- 
perfections in  mind,  in  disposition  and  habits, 
which  they  may  cover. — The  old  proverb  wisely 
says — "If  thou  desirest  a  wife,  choose  her  on  a 
Saturday,  rather  than  on  a  Sunday."  A  few  fa- 
miliar visits  when  the  object  of  your  attention  is 
engaged  in  domestic  afiairs  and  has  no  expecta- 
tion of  seeing  you,  will  afford  a  clearer  view  of 
her  qualities  and  habits,  than  years  of  intimacy 
under  other  circumstances. — You  should  endeav- 
or to  conceive,  if  possible,  what  will  be  the  dis- 
position, the  habits,  the  character,  of  your  intend- 
ed companion,  a  few  years  hence,  when  she  will 
have  been  tried  in  the  severe  school  of  experience 
and  domestic  cares.  If  you  have  reason  to  ap- 
prehend that  her  qualities  will  not  be  as  valuable 
and  attractive  then,  as  now,  you  had  better  aban- 
don, at  once,  all  idea  of  connexion  with  her — for 
marriage  with  such  a  one,  is  far  more  likely  to 
be  fruitful  of  evil  than  of  good. 

Young  men  should  not  look  for  perfection  in 
the  female  sex,  either  in  beauty  of  person,  or  in 
disposition,  or  mind.     This  would  not  be  gener- 
ous or  reasonable — perfection  dwells  not  in  mor- 
21* 


246  MAHHIAOS. 

tal  frames.  But  there  are  a  few  valuable  and  ail- 
important  characteristics,  which  every  young 
mail  should  be  salistied  dwell  in  ihe  I'emale 
■whom  he  selects  for  his  companion. 

1.  She  should  be  virluous.  Virtue  is  the  ba- 
sis upon  which  all  other  valuable  female  quali- 
ties must  rest.  Women  who  are  virtuous,  al- 
though lacking  in  many  other  desirable  qualifica- 
tions, may  still  be  valuable  and  worthy.  But 
when  virtue  is  wanting,  the  foundation  of  worth 
is  removed,  and  no  other  qualification  can  atone 
for  its  absence. 

2.  She  should  have  an  agreeable  disposition 
and  an  even  temper.  "This  is  a  very  diflScult 
thing  to  ascertain  beforehand.  Smiles  are  cheap; 
they  are  easily  put  on  for  the  occasion.  By  a 
good  temper,  I  do  not  mean  an  easy  temper,  a 
serenity  which  nothing  disturbs  ;  for  that  is  a 
mark  of  laziness.  Sullenness,  if  you  be  not  too 
blind  to  perceive  it,  is  a  temper  to  be  avoided  by 
all  means.  A  sullen  man  is  bad  enough ;  what, 
then,  must  be  a  sullen  woman,  and  that  woman 
a  wife  ;  a  constant  inmate,  a  companion  day  and 
night.  But  if  you  have  your  eyes,  and  look 
sharp,  you  will  discover  symptoms  of  this  if  it 
unhappily  exist.  She  will  at  some  time  or  other, 
show  it  to  some  one  of  the  family  ;  or,  perhaps, 
towards  yourself;  and  you  may  be  quite  sure 
that  in  thisrespect,  marriage  will  not  mend  her."* 
Good  disposition  and  even  temper  are  important 

♦  Guide. 


MAHfttAQE.  247 

accompanimeais  to  virtue.  For  although  your 
intended  wife  may  be  virtuous  and  industrious, 
yet  if  she  has  a  sour,  morose  disposition  and  ua 
irritable  temper,  the  probability  is  great,  that  you 
will  live  unhappily  together.  But  if  she  has  a 
kind,  pleasant,  benevolent  disposition  and  a  well 
governed  temper,  your  prospect  is  fair,  of  enjoy- 
ing a  peaceable  and  agreeable  home. 

3.  She  should  possess  an  enlightened  mind — 
or,  at  least,  a  mind  that  eagerly  seeks  for  useful 
information.  It  is  well  known  that  the  mother 
sows  the  first  seeds  of  knowledge  in  the  minds  of 
her  offspring.  How  important  that  she  should 
be  qualified  to  discharge  this  office  in  a  beneficial 
manner.  Her  mind  should  possess  clear  views, 
not  only  in  relation  to  general  knowledge,  but 
especially  upon  the  subject  of  religion  and  of  mor- 
al duties.  It  is  extremely  unfortunate  to  marry 
a  young  woman  who  is  destitute  of  correct  reli- 
gious impressions,  and  especially  one  who  has  no 
inclination  to  seek  for  light  upon  this  important 
subject.  Such  a  one,  would  be  peculiarly  ex- 
posed to  the  thraldom  of  bigotry  and  fanaticism, 
and  your  domestic  peace  would  be  liable  to  be  em- 
bittered by  the  deleterious  influences  of  religious 
error.  See,  then,  that  the  object  of  your  choice 
possesses  a  sound  mind — one  that  is  anxious  to 
acquire  a  fund  of  valuable  knowledge,  and  is 
capable  of  appreciating  the  worth  of  pure  morali- 
ty and  ot  enlightened  views  of  the  Gospel  of  the 
Saviour, 


'248  MAKRiAGE. 

4.  She  sliuuld  be  industriuus.  A  wife  desti- 
tute of  industry,  is  little  better  than  a  drone  or  a 
block.  Whatever  may  be  your  circumstances, 
an  industrious  companion  will  be  far  more  val- 
uable, than  one  who  prefers  to  eat  the  bread  of 
idleness.  They  had  a  correct  view  of  this  sub- 
ject anciently.  In  Proverbs,  it  is  said  of  a  vir 
tuous  or  industrious  woman — "  She  will  do  good 
and  not  evil,  all  the  days  of  her  life.  She 
seeketh  wool  and  flax,  and  workelh  willingly 
with  her  hands."  And  from  the  neatness  of  his 
apparel,  it  is  said,  "  her  husband  is  known  in  the 
gates,  when  he  sitteth  among  the  elders  of  the 
land."  Seek  for  a  young  woman,  whc^  instead 
of  devising  ways  and  means  to  squander  your 
property  in  useless  dress  and  extravagant  dis- 
play, will  endeavor,  by  industry,  prudence  and 
economy,  to  assist  you  in  securing  a  suitable 
competency  for  life — one  who  will  indeed,  be 
"  a  help  meet"  fur  you.  If  a  young  lady  spends 
the  greater  part  of  her  time  in  languishing  over 
a  novel,  or  drumming  upon  the  piano,  or  "  spin- 
ning street-yarn"  to  indulge  in  idle  gossip,  be- 
ware of  making  her  your  companion — she  is 
lacking  in  one  of  the  most  important  character- 
istics of  a  good  wife — viz  :  industry. 

5.  She  should  be  well  versed  in  domestic  econ- 
omy. "  Without  a  knowledge  and  love  of  do- 
mestic concerns,  the  wife,  even  of  a  peer,  is  of 
but  little  value.  It  was  the  fashion  in  former 
times,  for  ladies  to  understand  a  great  deal  about 


MARRIAOe.  i^9 

these  things ;  and  it  would  be  very  hard  to  make 
mp  believe  that  it  did  not  tend  to  promote  the  in- 
terests and  honor  of  their  hnsbands."'  YcTinj* 
men  should  be  very  cautious  on  iliis  point.  They 
should  never  knowingly  be  joined  in  wedlock  to 
a  female  who  is  ignorant  of  the  domestic  affairs 
of  a  family.  Even  though  there  may  be  no  ne- 
cessity of  engaging  in  them  constantly  herself, 
still  it  is  important  for  her  to  know  how  they 
should  be  transacted,  in  order  that  her  household 
may  be  conducted  in  a  successful  and  economi- 
cal manner.  With  an  ignorant  wife  and  igno- 
rant servants,  your  domestic  concerns  will  soon 
be  in  a  lamentable  condition,  and  you  will  suffer 
in  comfort  as  well  as  in  interest. 

Many  other  valuable  characteristics  of  a  good 
wife,  might  be  enumerated,  but  these  must  suffice. 
If  you  obtain  a  companion  who  is  virtuous,  of  a 
gentle  disposition  and  even  temper,  who  possess- 
es a  well  informed  and  tractable  mind,  is  indus- 
trious and  well  versed  in  domestic  economy — you 
v,-ill  secure  one  of  the  richest  of  earthly  bless- 
ings— she  will  be  a  jewel  above  value.  Her 
features  may  be  plain,  her  complexion  may  not 
be  fair — but  what  are  these  but  fleeting  shadows 
that  disappear  with  the  few  days  of  youth.  "Beau- 
ty in  woman  is  like  the  flowers  in  Spring;  but 
virtue  is  like  the  stars  of  heaven."  Personal 
beauty  is  liable  to  be  destroyed  by  the  first  frosts 
of  sickness ;  but  if  your  chosen  one  possesses 
the  qualities  1  have  enumerated,  she  is  adorned 


250  MARRIAGE. 

with  a  beeuty,  which,  instead  of  fading  and  dis- 
appearing, will  grow  brighter  and  lovelier  with 
advancing  age,  arid  sweeten  all  your  domestic 
experience. 


A  VOICE  TO  YOUNG  LADIES. 


^:mL> 


CHAPTER    I. 


INTRODUCTION. 


^  The  condition  of  woman,  and  the  estimation 
in  which  she  is  held  by  the  other  sex,  are  a  true 
index  of  the  state  of  civilization  in  every  country. 
Wherever  Christianity  diffuses  its  divine  influ- 
ences— wherever  the  pages  of  literature,  of  sci- 
ence, and  of  the  arts,  are  unfolded  for  the  perusal 
of  the  great  mass  of  the  people,  there  woman  is 
honored,  her  rights  are  respected,  her  value  ap- 
preciated, her  worthiness  assented  to — there  she 
is  the  companion  of  man,  and  not  his  slave  ;  the 
object  of  his  confidence  and  love,  and  not  the 
instrument  of  his  despotic  pleasure — there  she  is 
acknowledged  an  intelle-ctual  and  moral  being, 
capable  of  competing  with  the  masculine  mind  in 
the  acquisition  of  those  attainments  that  adorn 
and  elevate  human  nature.  But  in  those  lands 
where  the  light  of  Christianity  has  never  shone — 
where  the  arts  and  sciences  are  known  only  to  a 
small  extend  and  where  mental  and  moral  dark- 
ness covers  the  people — woman  is  a  degraded 
22  253 


254  lNTR0DUCT10?r, 

menial,  looked  upon  by  man,  as  only  fitted  to  per- 
form the  drudgery  of  life,  and  to  do  his  bidding. 
To  perceive  the  truth  of  these  remarks,  it  is 
only  necessary  to  survey  the  present  condition  of 
woman,  in  different  portions  of  the  earth.  In 
Europe  and  America,  where  Christianity,  civili- 
zation, and  science  diffuse  their  mingled  influ- 
ences,  woman  holds  her  highest  rank;  the  native 
purity  and  loveliness  of  her  qualities  shme  out, 
and  her  talents  and  capabilities  are  developed  to 
a  degree  hitherto  unknown  in  the  annals  of  time. 
But  contemplate  her  condition  in  other  sections 
of  the  globe.  Wherever  the  darkness  of  igno- 
rance reigns  in  its  most  complete  triumph,  there 
woman  is  plunged  in  her  deepest  degradation.  In 
Persia  and  Hindostan,  in  Turkey,  in  Georgia 
and  Circassia,  in  China  and  the  Loo-Choo  Is- 
lands, while  her  condition  is  better  than  in  many 
other  parts  of  the  world,  it  is  still  far  inferior  in 
every  valuable  consideration,  to  her  station  in 
Christian  nations.  She  is  worshipped,  it  is  true, 
as  an  idol,  in  some  of  those  countries ;  but  the 
emotion  arises  no  higher  than  admiration  of  per- 
sonal beauty  ;  she  commands  no  respect  for  vir- 
tue, intelligence,  and  well-developed  intellect. 
The  immoralities  of  Mohometanism  and  Pagan- 
ism, together  with  the  unnatural  institution  of 
polygamy,  unjustly  rob  her  of  her  rights,  her  in- 
fluence, and  the  dearest  enjoyments  of  life.  She 
«  made  the  subject  of  barter  and  s|^,  "and  her 
."oautVj  and  sometimes  her  ability  to  labor,  are 


rXTRODUCTlON.  255 

made  to  coninljuie  lo  the  purposes  of  avarice  and 
gain."  In  the  islands  of  South  Americaj  m  the 
Indian  Archipelago,  in  Australia  and  Polynesia, 
in  the  Pelew,  Society,  Friendly,  and  Sandwich 
Islands,  among  the  savages  in  the  two  continents 
of  America,  and  in  all  Africa,  woman  is  the  ser- 
vile dependant  and  slave  of  man — the  object  of 
his  tyranny  and  oppression — compelled  to  per- 
form the  severest  labors,  and  to  drag  out  a  mis- 
erable existence,  subject  lo  the  caprice  and  whim 
of  hex  lord  and  master. 

Such  is  a  brief  survey  of  the  condition  of  wo- 
man, throughout  the  world.  The  fair  daughters 
of  America  can  not  be  too  thankful,  that  a  kind 
Providence  has  cast  their  lot  in  this  favored  hem- 
isphere, v/here  they  are  blessed  with  privileges, 
and  surrounded  by  advantages,  of  inestimable 
value. 

The  circumstances  of  the  female  sex,  in  what 
are  termed  civilized  countries,  have  experienced 
material  changes,  at  different  periods  of  the  world. 
In  the  first  ages  of  the  Roman  Republic,  the  con- 
dition of  woman  was  little  better  than  that  of  a 
slave.  She  was  confined  exclusively  to  the  labor 
of  the  household,  and  was  subject  entirely  to  the 
rule  of  her  husband,  who  held  even  her  life  at  his 
command.  In  after  ages,  however,  as  civilization 
advanced,  the  Romans  estimated  the  female  char- 
acter more  highly,  and  conferred  many  superior 
advantages  upon  the  sex.  But  when  the  deep 
ignorance  of  "  the  dark  age'>*'  overshadowed  the 


256  INTRODUCTION. 

civilized  world,  and  enveloped  in  its  murky  folds, 
religion,  literature,  and  science,  the  rights  of  wo- 
man were  involved  and  lost  in  the  common  ruin. 
Her  condition  again  became  as  deplorable  as  at 
any  former  period  of  time.  But,  after  a  lapse  of 
many  centuries,  when  Christianity  emerged  from 
the  long  night  of  darkness,  and  civilization  once 
more  began  to  polish  society,  a  most  remarkable 
change  in  the  condition  of  woman  commenced. 
From  a  state  of  abject  servitude  and  bondage,  she 
suddenly  became  exalted  to  the  highest  elevation, 
under  the  influence  of  that  romantic  chivalry, 
which  then  reigned  throughout  Christendom. 
She  was  considered  a  being  scarcely  pertaining  to 
earth,  but  was  worshipped  as  a  superior  spirit; 
and  haughty  knights  and  brave  cavaliers  devoted 
their  lives  to  the  defence  of  her  character  and 
honor.  Poets  celebrated  her  praises  in  strains  of 
admiring  enthusiasm,  and  the  wandering  trouba- 
dour sang  of  her  dazzling  loveliness  and  the 
witchery  of  her  influence.  This  chivalrous  devo- 
tion to  woman,  which  elevated  her  as  far  above 
her  real  merits,  as  she  was  before  depressed  be- 
neath them,  continued  for  several  centuries.  But 
at  length  it  began  to  wane  under  the  influence  of 
advancing  knowledge  and  information,  until  it 
finally  received  its  death-blow  in  the  inimitable 
caricature  of  Don  Quixotte.  This  celebrated 
work  held  up  the  knight-errantry  of  those  ages 
in  a  light  so  surpassingly  ridiculous,  that  it  van- 
ished as  by  enchantment. 


IM'KODUCTION.  257 

Prom  that  time,  woman  began  to  be  viewed  in 
a  proper  light,  and  her  real  value  to  be  apprecia- 
ted. While  the  beauty  of  her  person  had  lost 
the  enchanting  power  it  formerly  possessed,  the 
beauty  of  her  intellect,  the  purity  of  her  heart, 
the  kindness  of  her  disposition,  the  depth  of  her 
affections,  and  the  valuable  attainments  she  be- 
gan to  develope,  gave  her  an  influence,  not  so 
dazzling,  but  far  more  extensive  and  enduring. 
It  was  perceived  that  females  possessed  minds 
as  well  as  men — that  they  had  been  endowed  by 
the  Creator  with  the  same  faculties,  and  that 
they  were  capable  of  high  attainment  in  every 
department  of  human  knowledge. 

This  well-grounded  respect  for  the  real  excel- 
lences of  woman,  has  continued  to  increase  to 
the  present  day ;  and  the  female  sex  in  Christen- 
dom, now  holds  a  higher  and  nobler  rank  than  at 
any  former  period.  Females  are  now  justly  cel- 
ebrated as  authors,  musicians,  and  artists— they 
have  become  distinguished  to  an  extent  that 
would  formerly  have  been  considered  impossible, 
in  every  branch  of  science  and  general  literature. 
As  the  capabilities  of  their  minds  are  more  and 
more  developed,  the  higher  do  they  rise  in  the 
estimation  of  the  other  sex,  and  the  more  are 
they  deemed  worthy  to  become,  not  only  their 
companions,  but  their  assistants  and  CDunsellors. 
And  although  the  matrons  of  our  country,  have 
not  chosen  representatives  to  assemble  in  con- 
clave at  Washington,  to  be  consulted  by  Con- 
22* 


258  -  INTRODUCTION. 

gress  on  ihe  affairs  of  the  nation,  as  was  once 
proposed  by  an  eminent  female  writer,  yet,  that 
their  station  in  society  is  an  honorable  one,  and 
that  their  condition  and  advantages  are  immense- 
ly superior  to  those  enjoyed  by  females  in  other 
portions  of  the  globe,  can  not  but  be  acknowl- 
edged. 

It  is  true,  there  are  men  to  be  found  who  think 
lightly  of  the  whole  female  sex,  and  who  pretend 
to  doubt  their  virtue  and  their  ability  to  acquire 
extensive  knowledge.  But  such  individuals,  it 
will  invariably  be  perceived,  are  either  of  an  un- 
generous, selfish,  misanthropic,  cynical  disposi- 
tion, or  have  mingled  only  with  the  degraded 
and  abandoned  of  the  sex.  These  men  should 
have  lived  a  few  centuries  past,  rather  than  in 
the  present  age,  to  have  their  views  comport 
with  the  general  sentiment.  It  is  not  reasonable 
to  look  for  perfection  in  woman.  There  are 
those  of  her  sex,  who  are  unprincipled  and  dis- 
solute, precisely  as  there  are  such  among  men. 
But  females  seldom,  if  ever,  become  depraved 
until  made  so  by  man's  superior  depravity.  It  is 
Es  inconsistent  and  ungenerous  to  contend,  that 
the  entire  female  sex  should  be  suspected  on  ac- 
count of  the  frailties  of  some  of  their  number,  as 
to  condemn  the  whole  male  race  as  thieves  and 
robbers,  because  a  few  of  them,  comparatively, 
nave  been  guilty  of  these  crimes.  The  sneering 
inuendoes  in  which  some  men  indulge,  respecting 
female  virtue,  should  be  met  by  the  frowns  of 


INTRODUCTION.  269 

every  individual  of  honor,  as  a  base  attempt  to 
calumniate  the  better  part  of  our  race — especial- 
ly should  ladies  themselves  discountenance  such 
men,  and  avoid  all  connection  or  association  with 
them.  Compare  the  females  of  this  country,  as 
a  body,  with  the  males,  and  every  candid  mind 
will  acknowledge,  that  among  the  former  there 
is  to  be  found  far  more  purity,  virtue,  and  mod- 
esty, far  more  kindness,  benevolence,  and  love- 
liness of  disposition,  than  among  the  latter. 
Those  who  decry  the  purity  of  woman,  should 
be  av/are  of  the  influence  of  such  conduct.  They 
should  know  that  female  virtue  is  the  standard 
that  regulates  public  moral?,  to  a  great  degree, 
and  that  the  efforts  which  they  make  to  destroy 
that  virtue,  is  a  blow  struck  at  the  welfare  of  the 
whole  community  ;  for  the  purity  and  morality 
of  both  sexes  rise  or  fall  together.  The  degra- 
dation  of  woman  involves  the  corruption  of  man, 
and  is  the  fruitful  source  of  wretchedness  to  bothi 
Instead,  therefore,  of  deriding  the  morals  of  wo- 
man, every  enlightened  and  honorable  man,  who 
values  the  improvement  and  exaltation  of  his 
race,  will  rather  approbate,  encourage,  and  cher- 
ish female  virtue  and  excellence — will  be  pleased 
rather  to  observe  it  obtaining  extension  and  sta- 
bility, than  to  exert  himself  to  destroy  it !  "  When 
man  shall  be  just  to  her  nature,  then  will  he 
have  less  cause  to  censure ;  for  woman  will 
have  fewer  faults  to  deserve  censure.  Her 
moral  taste,  refined  and  elevated  by  the  percep- 


260  IN  I IIODLCIION. 

tions  of  her  intellect,  will  then  present  her  to  his 
view,  as  a  manifestation  of  a  superior  nature — 
a  copy  worthy  its  original — worthy  his  confidence, 
companionship,  and  love." 


CHAPTER    II. 

FEMALE   INFLUEiNCE. 

From  the  intimate  connection  that  exists  be- 
tween the  two  sexes,  and  from  the  rank  which 
females  occupy  in  Christian  countries,  it  is  evi- 
dent that  their  influence  in  this  age,  is  both 
extensive  and  powerful.  In  ancient  days,  the 
influence  of  woman,  though  comparatively  small 
when  contrasted  with  its  present  sway,  was  not 
unknown.  Anacreon,  the  lyric  poet  of  Ionia, 
thus  sang : — 

"  Nature  imparts  her  gifts  to  all ; 
And  every  creature,  large  or  small, 
That  frolics  in  the  sea  or  strand, 
Receives  some  favors  at  her  hand. 

To  man,  more  bountifully  kind, 
f*he  gave  the  nobler  powers  of  mind ; 
And  woman,  too,  was  not  forgot ; 
Both  grace  and  beauty  are  her  lot. 
Whose  potent  influence  will  prevail 
When  wisdom,  wit  and  weapons  fail." 

The  influence  of  woman  commences  with 
man's  existence;  and  thrcughout   hi?  whole  ca- 

261 


262  FLMALL    INFLLLNfE. 

reer,  however  diversified,  he  is  never  dissolved 
from  it — commencing  at  the  cradle,  it  terminates 
only  at  the  grave.  The  domestic  circle  is  its 
fountain  head,  from  whence  its  streams  flow 
throughout  all  the  various  ramifications  of  socie- 
ty. Domestic  life  is  woman's  proper  sphere. 
There  her  peculiar  qualities  and  powers  are  de- 
veloped— there  she  commences  the  exercise  of 
that  sway,  which,  for  good  or  evil,  is  sensibly  felt 
in  the  world  at  large^there  she  begins  those  lea- 
sons  which  will  affect  those  to  whom  they  are 
addressed,  either  beneficially  or  injuriously,  while 
earthly  life  shall  endure — there  she  first  puts  into 
operation,  that  invisible,  yet  enduring  power,  by 
which  she  sways  to  an  immense  extent,  the  fate 
of  our  race — there  she  commences  twining  around 
the  hearts  of  the  sterner  sex,  those  minute  and 
lastmg  cords,  which  hold  them,  in  a  great  degree, 
to  an  assimilation  to  her  own  character.  The 
domestic  circle  is  the  home  of  woman,  where  she 
the  most  fully  evinces  her  useful  and  valuable 
qualifications,  and  appears  the  most  lovely  and 
enchanting.  "  A  family  is  society  in  miniature — 
home  is  its  location — woman  its  presiding  spirit — 
and  whatever  destroys  its  primary  features,  must 
disturb  the  tranquillity  of  its  joys,  introduce  evil 
into  its  atmosphere  of  good,  inflict  the  worst  of 
miseries,  not  only  on  her,  but  on  all  its  members, 
and  afiect  the  whole  community  of  which  it 
forms  a  part."* 

♦  Ladica'  Magazine. 


FEMALE    INFLUENCE,  263 

Who  has  not  experienced  the  influewce  of  wo- 
man? Who  has  not  been  charmed  by  the  viva- 
city of  her  intellect — enraptured  by  the  spark- 
ling of  her  genius,  and  filled  with  admiration  by 
the  modesty  of  deportment  and  simplicity  oi 
manners,  which  so  pre-eminently  distinguish  her 
from  the  other  sex  ?  And  whose  heart  has  not 
been  won  to  respect  and  lo\'-e  her,  for  the  kind- 
ness, the  tenderness  and  benevolence  which  her 
conduct  is  ever  manifesting?  Ledyard,  the  well 
known  modern  traveller,  thus  bears  testimony  to 
that  kindness  of  disposition  from  which  so  much 
of  her  influence  is  derived — "I  have  always  re- 
marked that  women,  in  all  countries,  are  civil, 
obliging,  tender  and  humane  ;  and  that  they  do 
not  hesitate  like  man,  to  perform  a  generous  ac- 
tion. Not  haughty,  not  arrogant,  not  supercili- 
ous ;  they  are  full  of  courtesy,  and  are  in  gener- 
al more  virtuous  than  man,  and  perform  more 
good  actions  than  he.  To  a  woman,  whether 
civilized  or  savage,  I  never  addressed  myself  in 
the  language  of  decency  and  friendship,  with- 
out receiving  a  decent  and  friendly  answer.  In 
wandering  over  the  barren  plains  of  inhospitable 
Denmark,  through  honest  Sweden,  and  frozen 
Lapland,  rude  and  churlish  Finland,  unprinci 
pled  Russia,  and  the  wide  spread  regions  of  the 
wandering  Tartar ;  if  hungry,  dry,  cold,  wet 
or  sick,  the  women  have  ever  been  friendly  to  me, 
and  uniformly  so ;  and  to  add  to  this  virtue,  so 
worthy  the  appellation  of  benevolence,  these  ac-? 


264  FEMALE    INFirENCE. 

tions  have  been  performed  in  so  free  and  so  kind 
a  manner,  that  if  I  was  dry,  I  drank  the  sweetest 
draught,  and  if  hungry,  1  ale  the  coarsest  morsel, 
■with  a  double  relish." 

The  influence  of  woman  is  experienced  by 
the  other  sex,  in  every  stage  of  existence.  How 
powerful  is  the  influence  which  the  wife  can  ex- 
ercise over  the  husband,  when  she  judiciously 
employs  her  abilities  !  She  can  mould  him  into 
almost  any  character — she  can  influence  him  to 
noble  and  patriotic  deeds ;  to  a  virtuous,  hon- 
orable and  upright  course  in  life  ;  to  a  benevo- 
lent, kind  and  peaceable  disposition — or,  if  the 
evil  inclination  sways  her,  she  can  debase  and 
degrade  his  mind  ;  destroy  all  honorable  ambi- 
tion, all  aspiring  after  usefulness  and  respecta- 
bility ;  dispirit  and  break  down  his  mind,  and 
plunge  him  into  disreputable  and  sinful  habits. 
When  such  is  the  power  of  woman's  influence 
over  her  companion,  wisdom  dictates  that  it 
should  be  exercised  with  great  care  and  prudence. 
The  female  who  would  have  her  husband  rise 
in  society,  and  become  useful  and  respected, 
should  reflect,  that  to  attain  this  end  much  de- 
pends upon  her  own  conduct.  If  she  is  careless 
of  his  interests,  negligent  of  his  affairs,  and  un 
concerned  in  his  plans  and  prospects,  she  is  a  dead 
weight — yea,  her  influence  will  be  of  a  charac- 
ter to  paralyze  his  exertions,  to  discourage  him 
in  every  useful  effort,  and  to  keep  him  down  to 
his  present  level,  or  sink  him  still  lower.     But 


FEMALE    INFLUENCE.  2ft5 

if  she  exhibits  an  interest  in  his  condition — if  she 
cheers  and  encourages  him  in  his  losses  and  in 
his  moments  of  depression,  instead  of  railing  at 
him — if  she  endeavors  to  soothe  and  allay  his 
feelings  when  iriitated,  instead  of  exciting  them 
to  a  flame  of  anger — then  the  influence  of  her 
conduct  will  be  of  a  highly  beneficial  character, 
and  her  labors  will  not  be  unrewarded. 

The  influence  that  sisters  are  capable  of  ex- 
ercising over  brothers,  is  by  no  means  inconsidera- 
ble. Brought  up  in  each  other's  company  from 
infancy — mingling  in  a  great  degree  in  the  same 
scenes,  the  same  amusements — there  is  usually 
an  intimacy  between  sisters  and  brothers  in 
youthful  life,  much  exceeding  that  between  pa- 
rents and  children.  The  influence  which  the 
sister  thus  acquires,  she  can  wield,  by  a  judi- 
cious course,  to  great  advantage.  Often  the 
young  man,  while  turning  a  deaf  ear  to  the  coun- 
sel of  parents,  will  readily  listen  to  the  advice 
of  an  affectionate  sister.  Being  nearer  his  age, 
mingling  with  him  in  the  same  circle,  and  par- 
taking to  a  considerable  extent  of  the  same  re- 
creations, she  is  enabled  more  fully  to  enter  into 
his  feelings  and  appreciate  the  peculiarities  of  his 
situation,  than  the  parent,  and  is,  therefore,  bet- 
ter prepared,  in  many  cases,  to  impart  counsel 
and  admonition  that  will  have  a  salutary  and 
virtuous  tendency.  She  can  watch  a  brother's 
failings,  and  by  circumspection  can  so  bring  her 
influence  to  bear,  as  to  counteract,  to  a  very  im- 
23 


,^66  FEMALC    INFi.U£NCE, 

portant  extent,  the  baleful  temptations  to  wnich 
he  is  exposed. 

Sisters  can  also  exercise  a  salutary  influence 
over  brothers  younger  in  years.  They  mingie 
much  with  them,  and  are  often  entrusted  with 
an  oversight  of  them  in  the  absence  of  parents, 
when  children  throw  off  restraint  and  exhibit 
more  clearly  their  true  disposition--.  In  these  ca- 
ses sisters  should  realize  that  there  is  no  small  de- 
gree of  responsibility  resting  upon  them.  They 
should  notice  the  development  of  the  tender 
minds  of  their  brothers — should  check  every  im- 
proper expression,  and  every  evil  passion  and 
propensity,  and  exercise  all  their  influence  to 
give  their  pliant  minds  and  dispositions  a  vir- 
tuous and  benevolent  cast.  In  this  way,  young 
ladies  can  greatly  assist  their  parents  in  train- 
ing their  brothers  to  usefulness  and  respecta- 
bility. 

I  cannot  forbear  adding  here,  a  few  sugges- 
tions relative  to  the  influence  of  sisters  over 
brothers,  extracted  from  a  late  popular  work,  by 
an  eminent  female  author,  entitled  the  Young 
Ladies'  Friend.  "  The  important  relation  which 
sisters  l»ear  to  brothers,  can  not  be  fully  apprecia- 
ted, without  a  greater  knowledge  of  tlie  world  and 
its  temptations  to  young  men,  than  girls  in  their 
teens  can  be  supposed  to  possess.  I  assure  you, 
that  your  companionship  and  influence  may  be 
powerful  agents  in  preserving  your  brothers  from 
dissipation,  in  saving  them  from  dangerous  inti- 


FEMALE   INFLUENCE.  267 

macies,  and  mainlainin^  in  their  minds,  a  high 
standard  of  female  excellence.  If  your  brothers 
are  younger  than  you,  encourage  them  to  be  per- 
fectly confidential  with  you  ;  win  their  friendship 
by  your  sympathy  in  all  their  concerns,  and  let 
them  see  that  their  interests  and  their  pleasures 
are  liberally  provided  for  in  the  family  arrange- 
ment. Never  disclose  their  little  secrets,  howev- 
er unimportant  they  may  seem  to  you;  never 
pain  them  by  an  ill-timed  joke ;  never  repress 
their  feelings  by  ridicule  ;  but  be  their  tenderest 
friend,  and  then  you  may  become  their  ablest  ad- 
viser. If  they  go  into  company  with  yeu,  see 
that  they  are  introduced  to  the  most  desirable 
acquaintances,  and  show  them  that  you  are  in- 
terested in  their  acquitting  themselves  well.  If 
you  are  so  happy  as  to  have  elder  brothers,  you 
should  be  equally  assiduous  in  cultivating  their 
friendship,  though  the  advances  must  of  course 
be  differently  made.  Young  men  often  feel  the 
want  of  a  confidential  friend  of  the  softer  sex,  to 
sympathise  with  them  in  their  little  affairs  of 
sentiment,  and  happy  are  those  who  find  one  in 
a  sister.  Once  possessed  of  an  elder  brother's 
confidence,  spare  no  pains  to  preserve  it.  Con- 
vince him  by  the  little  sacrifices  of  personal  con- 
venience and  pleasure  which  you  are  willing  to 
make  for  him,  that  when  you  do  oppose  his  wish- 
es, it  is  on  principle  and  for  conscience'  sake ; 
then  will  you  be  a  blessing  to  him,  and  even  when 
differirg  from  yon,  he  will  love  and  respect  you 


268  FLMALL    INFLUENCE. 

the  more  for  your  adherence  to  a  high  standard. 
So  many  temptations  beset  young  men  of  which 
young  women  know  nothing,  that  it  is  of  the 
utmost  importance  that  your  brothers'  evenings 
should  be  happily  passed  at  home,  that  their 
friends  should  be  your  friends,  tnat  their  engage- 
ments should  be  the  same  as  yours,  and  that  va- 
rious innocent  amusements  should  be  provided 
for  them  in  the  family  circle.  Music  is  an  ac- 
complishment chiefly  valuable  as  a  home  enjoy- 
ment, as  rallying  round  the  piano,  the  various 
members  of  a  family,  and  harmonizing  their  hearts 
as  well  as  voices,  particularly  in  devotional  strains. 
I  know  of  no  more  agreeable  and  interesting 
spectacle,  than  that  of  brothers  and  sisters  play- 
ing and  singing  together,  those  elevated  compo- 
sitions in  music  and  poetry,  which  gratify  the 
taste  and  purify  the  heart,  while  the  parents  sit 
delighted  by.  Brothers  and  sisters  may  greatly 
aid  each  other  in  judging  of  their  friends  of  the 
opposite  sex.  Brothers  can  throw  important 
light  upon  the  character  and  merits  of  young  men, 
because  they  see  them  when  acting  out  their 
natures  before  their  comrades  and  relieved  from 
the  restraints  of  the  drawing  room.  And  you 
can  in  return,  greatly  assist  your  brothers  in  com- 
ing to  wise  and  just  conclusions  concerning  their 
female  friends.— Your  brothers  may  be  very 
much  indebted  to  the  quicker  penetration  of 
women  into  each  other's  characters,  and  saved 
by  your  discernment,  from  being  fascinated  by 


rEMALE    INFLUENCE.  269 

qualities  that  are  not  of  sterling  value !  I  have 
been  told  by  men  who  had  passed  unharmed 
through  the  temptations  of  youth,  that  they  owed 
their  escape  from  many  dangers,  to  the  intimate 
companionship  of  affectionate  and  pure  minded 
sisters.  They  have  been  saved  from  a  hazard- 
ous meeting  with  idle  company,  by  some  home 
engagement,  of  which  their  sisters  were  the 
charm;  they  have  refrained  from  mixing  with 
the  impure,  because  they  would  not  bring  home 
thoughts  and  feelings  which  they  could  not  share 
with  their  trusting  and  loving  friends.  They 
have  put  aside  the  wine  cup,  and  abstamed  from 
strong  potations,  because  they  would  not  profane 
with  their  fumes,  the  holy  kiss  with  which 
they  were  accustomed  to  bid  their  sisters  good 
night." 

That  mothers  can  exercise  a  valuable  influence 
over  children,  is  beyond  controversy.  Who  first 
instructs  the  infant  to  lisp  the  language  of  its 
fathers  ? — the  mother.  Who  first  gives  form  and 
consistency  to  ideas  floating  vaguely  in  its  un- 
skilled mind  ? — the  mother.  Who  first  furnishes 
it  themes  for  thought  and  conversation? — the 
mother.  Who  gives  the  first  bias  and  direction 
to  its  tender  mind,  both  in  moral  and  intellectua\ 
respects? — the  mother.  How  potent,  then,  is 
the  influence  of  mothers  over  children  !  The  sus- 
ceptible mind  of  the  child,  is  to  the  mother,  "as 
clay  in  the  1  ands  of  the  potter."  She  can  mould 
and  fashion  it  at  will — she  can  sow  the  seeds  of 
23* 


2^0  rEMALE   INFLUfiNUt. 

virtue,  and  morality,  and  correct  religious  views, 
both  by  precept  and  example,  or  she  can  allow 
her  ofl'spring  to  grow  up  under  the  sway  of  igno- 
rance, and  error,  and  evil  passions.  In  most  cases, 
the  mother  is  instmmental  in  laying  the  founda- 
tion of  those  prominent  characteristics,  whether 
good  or  bad,  that  distinguish  her  children  through 
hfe.  To  a  mother  was  our  beloved  Washington 
chiefly  indebted  for  those  principles  of  honor  and 
integrity,  of  virtue,  patriotism  and  religion,  which 
so  pre-eminently  distinguished  him  in  his  trying 
career.  From  a  mother  Napoleon  obtained  that 
energy  of  character,  that  perseverance,  industry 
and  self-possession,  to  which  he  was  mainly  in- 
debted for  his  unparalleled  success.  It  is  im- 
portant, therefore,  that  mothers,  and  those  des- 
tined to  become  mothers,  should  be  aware  of  the 
influence  which  they  sway  over  their  children,  and 
should  be  prepared  to  wield  it  in  an  advantageous 
manner.  Let  them  with  care,  scatter  the  seeds 
of  patriotism,  morality  and  religion,  early,  in 
ihe  rich  mental  soil  of  their  offspring,  and  un- 
less counteracted  by  influences  of  an  extremely 
deleterious  character,  they  will,  in  after  life,  yield 
an  abundant  harvest  of  usefulness  and  respecta- 
bility. 

Although  the  influence  ot  woman  is  chiefly 
exercised  in  domestic  life,  yet  it  is  not  confined 
to  that  circle  ;  but  to  a  certain  extent,  it  bears  di- 
rectly upon  community  at  large.  On  all  public 
occasions,  where  the  presence  of  females  is  prop- 


r£MAL£   INFLUENCE.  271 

er,  they  exercise  a  controling  influence  upon  the 
character  of  the  proceedings.  In  civilized  life, 
deference  is  ever  paid  to  the  feelings  and  taste  of 
woman.  In  every  assembly,  whether  the  social 
circle,  the  ball-room,  the  theatre,  or  any  public 
convocation  where  they  are  present,  if  females 
would  exercise  their  undisputed  prerogative,  and 
unitedly  frown  upon  every  thing  of  an  immoral 
and  dissolute  characterj  their  modesty  would 
soon  cease  to  be  offended,  and  public  morals,  in 
these  respects,  would  be  improved.  But  if  re- 
spectable ladies  will  give  their  countenance  to 
exhibitions  of  an  improper  character — if  they 
will  ^ile  approvingly,  at  attitudes,  or  gestures, 
or  words,  that  should  call  up  the  crimson  blush 
of  shame — they  mlist  expect  that  such  occurren- 
ces will  continue  to  be  exhibited  before  them. 
They  have  the  remedy  for  this  evil  in  their 
own  hands,  and  if  they  fail  to  exercise  it,  they 
must  continue  to  experience  its  deleterious  influ- 
ences. 

Young  ladies  can  also  exercise  a  sensible  in- 
fluence upon  the  character  of  the  young  men 
with  whom  they  associate.  They  have  the  pow 
cr  of  causing  the  conduct  of  their  male  associ 
ates  to  be  such  as  they  desire.  Let  them  refuse 
to  countenance  or  have  any  intercourse  with 
young  men  who  are  addicted  to  evil  habits — let 
them  give  a  firm  and  indignant  reproof  to,  or 
withdraw  immediately  from  the  presence  of 
those  yottiig  men  who  exhibit  any  thing  immoraJ 


JM'2  fEMALE    IM'LOENCE. 

or  improper,  either  in  word  or  deed — and  maiiy 
evils  which  now  exist,  would  be  abated.  Young 
men  will  almost  invariably  cause  their  conduct 
to  correspond  with  the  tastes  of  the  females  in 
whose  company  they  desire  to  mingle.  And  in 
the  great  majority  of  cases,  they  will  abandon 
any  evil  practice,  rather  than  lose  the  approving 
smiles  of  those  ladies  whom  they  esteem.  Let 
young  women  remember  this  truth,  and  exercise 
the  powerful  influence  they  possess,  in  a  prudent 
manner,  and  efl'ects  highly  beneficial  to  them- 
selves, and  to  community,  will  ensue. 

The  influence  exercised  by  females  over  hus- 
bands, orothers,  and  those  with  whom  they  are 
intimate,  is  exceedingly  varied  in  degree.  While 
some  possess  this  influence  to  an  extraordinary 
extent,  others  appear  wholly  destitute  of  it.  The 
amount  of  influence  depends  entirely  upon  the 
conduct  observed  towards  those  over  whom  it  is 
desirable  to  exercise  it.  Woman  can  not  com- 
mand man  to  conform  to  her  tastes  and  views — 
she  must  win  him  into  conformity.  Man  often 
accomplishes  his  purposes  by  power,  and  vio- 
lence, and  contention.  But  this  is  not  woman's 
province — these  are  not  her  weapons.  She  has 
but  one  general  course  of  procedure  to  obtain 
an  influence  over  those  with  whom  she  is  con- 
nected, or  in  whose  welfare  she  is  interested— 
and  that  is,  by  persuasion,  by  kindness,  by  gen- 
tleness and  affection,  by  the  continued  exhibition 
of  a  sweet  temper,  and  of  a  loving  and  forgiving 


FKMALE   INFLUENCE.  273 

spirit.  These,  and  these  only,  are  the  means  by 
which  she  can  gain  intiuence  over  the  sterner 
sex.  It  is  contrary  to  human  nature  for  man  to 
be  coerced  ox  driven  into  any  measure  by  woman, 
and  she  who  undertakes  this  course,  is  igno- 
rant of  her  powers,  ignorant  of  her  proper  sphere 
of  action,  and  blind  to  her  own  happiness  ! 

I  am  pained  to  declare,  (yet  the  experience 
of  all  will  bear  witness  to  its  truth,)  that  the 
wretchedness  which  many  females  experiencej 
is  too  frequently  caused,  or  at  least  augmented 
and  perpetuated,  by  their  own  misjudged  con- 
duct. Suppose  you  have  reason  to  believe  the 
affections  of  the  husband,  or  of  the  young  man 
with  whom  you  had  hoped  to  be  connected  for 
life,  are  becoming  cool  toward  you,  and  turning 
to  some  other  person,  what  course  should  you 
pursue  to  regain  his  love  ?  Should  you  reproach 
and  deride  him,  and  treat  him  with  bitter  scorn 
and  anger  ?  No — this  conduct  would  be  calcu- 
lated directly  to  defeat  the  end  you  would  ac- 
complish— it  would  cause  you  to  appear  more 
disagreeable  to  iiim  than  ever,  and  make  a  still 
wider  breach  in  his  affections.  The  true  poli- 
cy for  woman  to  pursue  in  this  case,  is  to  as- 
sume all  the  lovely  attractions  of  her  nature — 
to  be  forgiving,  kind,  affectionate,  and  as  pleas- 
ant and  agreeable  as  possible.  This  is  the  only 
course  she  can  possibly  adopt,  with  the  least 
prospect  of  winning  him  back  to  his  first  love ! 
Suppose  the  husband  absents  himself  from  home, 


■I  4  FEMALL    INKLULNCE. 

*jj  .ij>j.i  1.5  his  leisure  hours  al  the  haunts  of  in- 
lernjJLtance  and  vice,  how  shall  the  wife  secure 
his  conipan/  by  his  own  fire-side,  and  save  him 
from  ruin  7  By  meeting  him  on  every  return, 
with  a  stor?n  of  clamor,  and  fury,  and  violence  ? — 
by  making  his  ears  "  tingle"  with  a  flood  of  harsh 
invective  and  reproach  ? — by  causing  herself,  the 
family,  and  the  dwelling,  to  appear  as  disagreea- 
ble and  repulsive  to  him  as  possible?  No — wo- 
man, remember — no  I  This  conduct  will  not, 
can  not,  amend  him — it  will  cause  him  to  dislike 
and  dread  home  above  all  other  places — it  will 
influence  him  to  absent  himself  as  frequently 
and  as  long  as  possible,  and  rivet  the  chains  of 
vicious  habits  upon  him  {  There  is  a  better,  a 
more  safe  and  successful  method  for  you  to  pur- 
sue. You  need  not  aiprobate  his  vices,  but 
whenever  you  allude  to  them — which  you  may 
frequently — do  it  in  a  kind  lone  of  voice,  and  in 
an  aflectionate  and  beseeching  manner.  AntI 
when  he  enters  his  dwelling,  meet  him  with  a 
smile  of  love,  instead  of  a  frown  of  hatred — 
be  gentle,  sweet,  even-tempered,  in  all  your 
words  and  actions — let  your  dwelling  be  "  swept 
and  garnished,"  and  made  as  cheerful  and  pleas- 
ant as  possible — arrange  all  things  to  suit  his 
convenience  and  taste.  The  moment  you  have 
made  home  more  agreeable  and  satisfactory  to 
him  than  the  places  of  his  resort,  that  moment 
you  have  achieved  the  victory.  We  are  always 
desirous   to  tarry  tlic  longrsi    where  we  enjoy 


PF.MALK    INFLUENCE.  L'Tl 

ourselves  the  best.  If  the  wife  studies  to  m?kfs 
the  domestic  fire-side  pleasant  and  delightf^Al  tc 
her  companion,  the  case  is  rare  that  she  will 
have  just  cause  to  complain  of  his  absence.. 
By  pursuing  this  prudent  and  judicious  course 
on  the  appearance  of  the  first  symptoms  of  an, 
inclination  in  the  husband  to  tarry  needlessly 
from  home,  and,  indeed,  when  no  such  inclina 
tion  exists  at  all — the  wife  can  not  only  secure 
her  own  peace  and  enjoyment,  but  can  save 
the  husband  from  threatened  degradation  and 
ruin  * 

Such  being  a  general  view  of  the  influence 
possessed  by  woman  in  hei*  different  stations  in 
society,  young  ladies  will  perceive  the  importance 
of  qualifying  themselves  to  sway  it,  in  a  manne? 
beneficial  to  themselves  and  their  race.  Thr 
saying,  that  "woman  rules  the  Avorld,"  can  hard 
ly  be  an  exaggeration.  Her  power  is  immense  ^ 
and  when  properly  directed,  can  be  the  cause  o: 
an  incalculable  amount  of  good.  But  woman 
should  remember  that  she  can  rule  only  by  plea 
sing — and  she  can  never  please  by  stepping  out 
of  her  proper  sphere  and  arbitrarily  demanding  to 
to  rule.  It  is  necessary  that  young  ladies  shoul(? 
reflect  much  upon  the  peculiarities  of  the  condi 
tion  they  will  be  likely  to  occupy  in  community  . 

*  The  remarks  in  this  chapter,  applicable  to  marriea 
ladies,  are  naiuially  involved  in  the  subject  of  female 
influance,  and  are  addressed  to  young  women,  from  the 
supposition  that  the  most  of  those  who  peruse  these  line^ 
will,  in  due  time,  enter  the  marriage  state. 


276  FEMALE    INFLUENCB. 

that  by  a  full  understanding  of  the  necessary  re- 
quisites, they  may  be  prepared  for  a  faithful  and 
useful  discharge  of  all  the  duties  that  may  devolve 
upon  them. 


CHAPTER    III. 


EARLY    ASSOCIATES. 


The  love  of  society  is  an  emotion  deeply  im- 
planted in  human  nature.  To  be  in  the  presence 
of  our  fellow-beings,  to  interchange  thoughts, 
emotions  and  opinions,  upon  subjects  mutually 
interesting,  is  a  source  of  high  intellectual  and 
social  enjoyment.  This  inclination  for  society, 
termed  by  Phrenologists,  "  Adhesiveness,"  has 
been  exhibited  in  all  ages.  Amid  the  blooming 
beauties  of  Eden,  the  happiness  of  our  father 
Adam  was  not  complete,  until  a  companion  was 
provided  to  be  the  sharer  of  his  thoughts  and  his 
joys.  In  childhood,  this  propensity  for  society  is 
early  developed.  Children  evince  an  exceeding 
fondness  for  each  other's  company;  and  soon 
they  form  those  friendships  and  attachments, 
which  frequently,continue  through  life. 

The  social  inclination  appears  to  exist  more 
strongly  in  woman  than  in  man.  Under  the  in- 
fluence of  misanthropic  feelings,  man  sometimes 
go  far  violates  the  promptings  of  his  nature,  as  to 
24  277 


5J78  F.Utl.Y    AHyOCIATEB. 

withdraw  from  all  intercourse  wiili  his  fellow- 
beings,  and  in  the  gloomy  mountain  cavern,  or 
the  far  recesses  of  the  forest,  pass  his  days  in 
dreary  solitude.  But  in  the  whole  history  of  our 
race,  I  know  not  that  there  is  an  instance  record- 
ed, where  woman  thus  voluntarily  banished  her- 
self from  society.  It  is  well  known  that  females 
in  the  years  of  childhood  and  youth,  exhibit  to  a 
high  degree,  this  love  of  social  intercourse.  They 
delight  to  mingle  together ;  and  by  a  mutual  dis- 
position to  please,  they  confer  enjoyment  upon 
each  other.  These  feelings  are  natural  and 
proper;  and  the  young  should  be  allowed  to  in- 
dulge them  to  a  consistent  extent. 

The  influence  exercised  upon  young  ladies  by 
their  associates,  must  necessarily  be  great,  and 
will  exert  an  important  tendency  in  the  forma- 
tion of  character.  "  We  are  all,"  says  Locke, 
"  a  kind  of  chameleons,  that  take  a  tincture  frona 
the  objects  that  surround  us."  It  is  a  maxim  of 
Solomon,  that  "he  that  walketh  with  wise  men 
shall  be  wise,  but  a  companion  of  fools  shall  be 
destroyed."  And  the  same  wise  man  utters 
another  admonition  of  similar  import — "  Make 
no  friendship  with  an  angry  man,  and  with  a 
furious  man  thou  shalt  not  go ;  lest  thou  learn 
his  ways,  and  get  a  snare  to  thy  soul."  These 
maxims  are  founded  upon  the  well  known  pro- 
pensity in  human  nature,  to  imitate  the  charac- 
teristics of  those  with  whom  we  associate.  We 
slowly,  yet  surely,  imbibe   a  certain  degree  of 


EAtlLY    ASSOCIATES.  279 

the  disposition,  tastes  and  habits,  whether  good 
or  bad,  of  our  companions.  Their  peculiarities 
in  thinking,  speaking  and  acting,  gradually  be- 
come oursj  and  we  ere  long,  in  a  measure,  see 
with  their  eyes,  and  hear  with  their  ears. 

How  necessary,  then,  young  ladies,  that  you 
should  exercise  great  precaution  and  circumspec 
tion,  in  the  selection  of  your  associates  of  both 
sexes.  You  should  not  trust  this  matter  entirely 
to  chance — you  should  not  mingle  indiscrimin- 
ately with  whatever  company  you  may  casually 
come  in  contact  ;  but  with  prudence  and  care, 
should  you  select  those  with  whom  you  would 
associate  and  form  intimacies.  You  can  not  be 
too  careful  in  regard  to  the  character,  habits  and 
accomplishments  of  those  whom  you  choose  for 
companions.  An  associate  of  loose  morals,  of 
low  and  indelicate  habits,  whose  conversation  is 
vulgar,  and  whose  general  demeanor  is  unculti- 
vated, will  exercise  an  influence  over  you,  the  del- 
eterious consequences  of  which  may  be  ruin  and 
wretchedness.  Mankind  seem  to  imbibe  vicious 
habits  more  readily  than  those  that  are  virtuous. 
This  can  be  accounted  for  on  no  other  principle 
han  that  exertion,  industry  and  perseverance 
are  necessary  to  acquire  or  retain  virtuous  habits 
against  the  assaults  of  vicious  temptations — while 
to  become  corrupt  and  depraved,  it  is  only  requis- 
ite that  we  allow  our  mental  and  moral  powers 
to  remain  in  a  quiescent,  indolent  state,  and  per- 
mit the  passions^to  obtnin  that  control  which  they 


280  EAHLY    AabUCIATES. 

are  ever  seeking.  Hence,  one  corrupt  compan- 
ion with  whom  you  are  intimate,  will  often  coua- 
leract  and  overthrow  all  the  admonitions  and  per- 
suasions to  virtue,  that  can  be  brought  to  bear 
upon  you.  But  the  influence  of  pure  and  virtu- 
ous companions,  can  not  but  be  salutary  and  ben- 
eficial. 

Community  will  jud.-^p  your  character  by  the 
character  of  your  asso.utes.  If  you  seek  the 
company  of  those  who  are  circumspect,  prudent 
and  well-informed,  it  will  evince  to  the  world 
that  you  highly  estimate  these  qualifications,  and 
you  will  be  proportionately  exalted  in  public  es- 
timation. But  if  yon  mingle  with  the  rude  and 
vulgar,  people  will  readily  conclude  you  are  drawn 
into  such  associations  by  a  similarity  of  taste  and 
inclinations,  and  will  judge  you  accordingly.  And 
when  a  young  lady  once  awakens  suspicions  in 
this  manner,  as  to  her  character,  it  is  diflficult— i- 
exceedingly  so — to  free  herself  from  dishonora- 
ble imputations ! 

The  counsel  of  parents,  and  of  tried  friends 
more  advanced  in  life,  should  be  duly  heeded  in 
selecting  associates.  You  may  be  blinded  by 
prepossession  to  the  faults  of  those  with  whom 
you  would  mingle ;  but  others,  uninfluenced  by 
improper  bias,  can  more  distinctly  perceive  the 
imperfections  of  your  companions,  and  are  thus 
enabled  to  warn  you  of  the  dangers  to  which  you 
may  be  exposed— and  wise  is  she,  who  will  lis- 
ten to  and  obey  such  precautions. 


EARLY    ASSOCIATES.  281 

That  the  young  should  be  fond  of  sprightly 
company  and  of  cheerful  conversation,  is  to  be 
expected — it  is  the  natural  inclination  of  their 
age,  when  all  the  emotions  are  vigorous  and  elas- 
tic. When  these  bouyaut  feelings  are  controlled 
by  modesty  and  characterized  by  sense,  they  may 
be  indulged  to  advantage.  But  while  you  are  at 
liberty  to  select  associates  who  are  cheerful,  see 
that  you  do  not  choose  those  who  allow  their  ani- 
mation to  degenerate  into  levity  and  immorality; 
but  rather  those  whose  free  flow  of  good  feeling, 
is  the  medium  of  the  acquisition  or  communica- 
tion of  useful  information  or  accomplishments. 
Wisdom  and  knowledge  may  be  arrayed  in  garbs 
that  are  cheerful  and  pleasing. 

I  would  not  have  young  ladies  too  fastidious  in 
the  choice  of  associates,  or  imagine  they  must 
look  alone  to  the  higher  circles  in  society,  either 
for  companions  or  examples;  for,  unfortunately, 
these  circles  are  often  deficient  in  both,  of  value. 
It  is  better  to  select  those  with  whom  you  would 
form  friendships  from  the  circle  to  which  you  be- 
ong,  than  to  choose  unworthy  associates  from  a 
igher  class.  You  should  not  look  for  perfection 
n  any  of  your  fellow-beings — you  will  perceive 
ailings  in  the  most  perfect.  But  there  are  cer- 
tain general  characteristics  which  those  wih 
whom  you  associate  should  possess.  They  should 
be  kind  and  amiable  in  disposition,  and  discreet, 
prudent  and  modest  in  deportment — they  should 
possess  sound  morals,  and  have  a  due  regard  to 
2-1+ 


2B2  EARLY    A8dUClAt£0. 

religious  subjects — they  should  be  free  from  hab- 
its of  fault-finding  and  tale-bearing:,  free  from  in- 
dolence and  slovenliness — they  should  not  be  at- 
tached to  gaieties  of  a  frivolous  character,  or  in 
love  with  those  amusements  which  exert  a  delete- 
rious influence  upon  public  morals — they  should 
possess  sound  understandings  and  well-informed 
jainds,  or  minds  that  are  inclined  to  seek  for  lise- 
ful  infdrmation.  With  such,  associate,  and  from 
among  them  choose  those  with  whom  you  would 
form  friendships  and  intimacies.  But  shun  those 
who  are  deficient  in  these  valuable  qualifications. 
While  the  greater  proportion  of  the  above  will 
apply  to  associates  not  only  of  your  own  sex,  but 
of  the  opposite,  I  would,  nevertheless,  indite  a 
few  precautions  in  especial  reference  to  the  latter. 
tt  is  very  proper  that  you  should  associate  with 
young  men,  under  the  salutary  restrictions  of  pro- 
priety and  good  breeding.  But  if  it  is  necessary 
that  you  should  be  cautious  in  regard  to  your 
companions  of  your  own  sex,  how  much  more 
important  that  you  should  exercise  great  prudence 
in  relation  to  the  character  of  the  young  men  with 
whom  you  associate — especially  of  those  with 
whom  you  are  intimate  !  Make  it  a  fixed  princi- 
ple of  conduct,  never  to  countenance  the  atten- 
tions or  the  company  of  young  men  who  are  pro- 
fane, or  dishonest,  or  intemperate,  or  addicted  to 
any  improper  or  dissolute  habits.  Their  society 
is  dangerous — your  respectability  and  happiness 
are  hazarded  by  associating  with  them— and  to 


EARLY    ASSOCIAltS.  283 

form  a  connection  with  them  for  life,  would  be 
extremely  liable  to  entail  wretchedness  upon  you. 
Avoid,  also,  the  society  of  Jlatterers.  They 
are  an  unworthy,  and  generally  an  unprincipled 
class.  The  man  who  endeavors  to  flatter  you, 
insults  your  understanding,  by  taking  it  for  grant- 
ed that  you  are  so  weak-minded  gls  not  to  per- 
ceive the  emptiness  of  his  fulsome  adulation^ 
The  flatterer  has  never  a  good  motive  in  view — 
he  never  flatters  to  benefit  you — and  although  his 
words  may  fall  upon  your  ears  with  honied  sweet- 
ness, yet  remember,  they  Are  filled  with  the  poi- 
son of  pollution  and  moral  death.  William  Penn, 
in  writing  to  his  daughters,  gave  them  this  sal- 
utary advice — "Avoid  flatterers,  for  they  are 
thieves  in  disguise — their  praise  is  costly,  design- 
ing to  injure  those  they  bespeak — they  are  the 
worst  of  creatures — they  lie  to  flatter,  and  flatter 
to  cheat — and,  which  is  worse,  if  you  believe 
them,  you  cheat  yourselves  most  dangerously.'' 
With  young  men  who  are  moral,  virtuous  aud  in- 
dustrious, who  have  some  laudable  occupation, 
whose  habits  are  pure  and  upright,  who  honor 
and  respect  your  sex,  and  are  under  the  sway  o  , 
correct  religious  principles,  you  can  freely  asso 
ciate,  with  mutual  improvement  and  benefit. 


CHAPTER    IV. 

FORMING    THE    MANNERS. 

"Man.S'Ers  tiKiketh  man,''  is  a  motto  inscribed 
m  the  celebrated  school  of  William  of  Wykharn, 
at  Winchester,  England.  And  it  is  no  less  true, 
in  the  same  sense,  that  manners  maketh  the  lady. 
If  a  lack  of  good  manners,  if  vulgarity  and  indel- 
icacy, are  failings  disgusting  even  in  man,  how 
much  more  unbecoming  are  they  in  woman  !  A 
•due  cultivation  of  the  manners,  the  general  de- 
portment, is  of  high  importance  to  young  ladies. 
Next  to  purity  of  character  and  sweetness  of  dis- 
position, you  depend  for  success  in  life,  upon  a 
well-regulated  outward  deportment.  In  regard 
to  exterior  appearance,  "  manners,  and  not  dress, 
are  the  ornaments  of  woman."  The  dress  may 
blaze  with  jewels — the  brow  may  be  encircled. by 
a  glittering  tiara  of  diamonds — yet  if  the  manners 
are  haughty  and  scornful,  or  coarse  and  vulgar, 
in  vain  is  the  costly  attire  assumed ;  it  can  not 
inspire  aSecticn  or  respect  in  those  who  are  dis- 
crimi':.eiiing.    But  a  demeanor  characteTized  by 

284 


FORMING   THE   MANNERS.  285 

modesty,  circumspection,  frankness,  and  good 
temper — not  too  forward,  nor  too  reserved — will 
secure  for  you  the  confidence  and  esteem  of  your 
acquaintance,  even  though  your  dress  be  of  the 
most  plain  and  simple  character.  Let  me  assure 
you,  young  ladies,  that,  let  young  men  say  what 
they  will,  ihey  are  much  sooner  captivated  by  a 
modest,  delicate  demeanor,  than  by  a  brazen 
boldness.  I  do  not  assert  that  a  set,  ceremonious 
deportment  is  necessary  to  render  a  young  wo- 
man engaging,  but  1  insist  that  propriety  in  man- 
ners, is  an  essential  requisite  to  a  pleasing  appear- 
ance. 

In  no  country  is  it  more  important  to  cultivate 
good  manners  than  in  our  own ;  and  yet  there  is 
a  great  deficiency  of  care  and  instruction  in  this 
particular.  "  A  young  girl  often  grows  up,  with- 
out ever  being  told  that  to  laugh  audibly  in  pub- 
lic, or  in  crowded  assemblies,  is  not  good  man- 
ners ;  that  presenting  herself  at  the  end  of  a 
crowded  bench,  and  looking  for  a  seat,  till  some 
gentleman  feels  himself  obliged  to  give  her  his, 

is  very  ill-bred You  will  be  careful  not  to  wear 

any  head-dress  that  will  prevent  those  behind 
you  from  seeing  well ;  you  will  never  by  whis- 
pering, hinder  those  around  you  from  hearing 
easily  ;  you  will  never  seem  to  claim  any  partic- 
ular seat  as  your  right ;  you  will  never  attempt 
to  keep  seats  for  those  of  your  party  who  come 
later  than  you  ;  you  will  never  suffer,  much  less 
oblige,  a  gentleman  to  relinquish  to  you  tne  good 


286  roRMiNo  THE  manners. 

seal  which  he  has  fairly  earned  by  going  very 
early,  and  sitting  long  in  patience.  You  will 
carefully  avoid  going  in  late,  and  disturbing  the 
company  after  the  lecture  has  begun  ;  but  if  you 
do  chance  to  arrive  late,  you  will  step  softly,  and 
take  the  first  seat  you  can  find,  instead  of  making 
further    interruption,   by   parading   through   the 

room  in  search  of  a  better If  you  are  the  first 

to  occupy  a  seat,  and  it  is  open  at  both  ends,  you 
should  take  the  middle  of  it;  if  open  only  at  one 
end,  you  should  take  that  part  next  the  wall;  be- 
cause by  not  doing  this,  you  either  oblige  people 
to  crowd  past  you,  or  you  make  a  great  stir  by- 
moving  every  time  one  is  added  to  the  number 

Always  think  of  the  good  of  the  whole  audience, 
rather  than  of  your  own  individual  convenience. 
This  rule  is  often  transgressed  in  crowded  assem- 
blies, in  warm  weather.  The  windows  are  open- 
ed for  the  good  of  the  whole ;  but  the  air  comes 
too  powerfully  on  the  neck  of  some  individual, 
and  she  very  coolly  desires  that  the  window  may 
be  shut,  entirely  regardless  of  those  who,  in  the 
middle  of  the  building,  are  panting  for  that  breath 
of  fresh  air  which  she  is  shutting  out.  Health 
and  life  may  depend  on  your  not  sitting  in  tha 
draught  of  air  ;  but  if  so,  you  should  protect  your- 
self by  additional  clothing,  change  your  seat,  or 
leave  the  place,  rather  than  incommode  hundreds 
by  having  a  window  shut  on  your  account.  I 
have  seen  a  large  assembly  of  people  almost  suf- 
focated for  want  of  fresh  air  in  consequence  of 


FORMLNG    THE    MANNERS.  287 

one  window  after  another  being  closed,  at  the 
request  of  some  two  or  three  persons  sitting  by 
them."* 

The  first  impressions  we  receive  in  regard  to 
persons,  are  often  lasting.  And  m  mingling  in 
society,  the  stranger  forms  his  first  conclusions 
of  your  worth,  from  your  manners.  It  is  true,  a 
fair  countenance,  or  a  symmetrical  form,  may  at- 
tract the  eye  of  a  stranger;  but  if,  in  his  farther 
scrutiny,  he  discovers  superciliousness  or  vulgar- 
ity in  manners,  the  charms  of  person  vanish,  and 
disgust  lakes  place  of  admiration.  But  when 
your  deportment  is  dictated  by  propriety,  you 
have  the  advantage  on  iatroduction  of  making  a 
favorable  impression  at  once.  People  generally 
will  draw  some  conclusion  from  your  manners, 
in  regard  to  your  real  character  and  disposition  , 
for  the  outward  demeanor  is  always  understood, 
without  something  is  distinctly  known  to  the  con- 
trary, as  indicating  the  moral  principles  and  the 
emotions  of  the  heart.  "  You  may  take  two  in- 
dividuals of  precisely  the  same  degree  of  intellect 
and  moral  worth,  and  let  the  manners  of  the  one 
be  bland  and  attractive,  and  those  of  the  other, 
distant  or  awkward,  and  you  will  find  that  the 
former  will  pass  through  life  with  far  more  ease 
and  comfort  than  the  latter.  For  though  good 
manners  will  never  effectually  conceal  a  bad 
Heart,  and  are,  in  no  case,  any  atonement  for  it. 

♦  Young  Lady's  Friend. 


2S8  KOnMlNO    THE    .MANNERS. 

yetj  taken  in  connection  wiih  amiable  and  tirlu. 
ous  dispositions,  they  natumlly  and  necessarily 
gain  upon  the  respect  and  good-will  of  mankind.' 
Let  it  be  understood  that  the  real  source  of 
good  manners  and  a  pleasing  deportment,  is  in 
the  heart.  They  must  rest  upon  kind,  amiable 
benevolent  feelings — upon  a  disposition  of  good  i, 
will  towards  your  fellow-beings,  and  a  desire  to 
minister  to  their  enjoyments.  Unless  these  emo- 
tions dwell  in  the  soul,  and  influence  the  con- 
duct, young  ladies  can  not  display  that  pleasing, 
attractive  demeanor  upon  which,  from  their  con- 
dition, they  so  much  defend  for  prosperity  in  life. 
The  dancing  and  the  posture  masters  may  giv« 
a  certain  polish  to  the  manners,  but  without  these 
kind  emotions  of  the  soul,  they  will  be  cold,  hypo- 
critical, and  repulsive ;  and  in  such  an  instance, 
the  least  discernment  is  sufficient  to  satisfy  the 
spectator,  that  although  bows,  and  smiles,  and 
simpers  plentifully  abound,  yet  the  heart  is  unin- 
terested and  insensible.  Such  efforts  to  please 
are  thrown  away.  But  when  the  heart  possesses 
the  proper  feelings — when  you  are  kindly  dis- 
posed toward  all — it  will  require  but  little  train- 
ing fo  cause  the  manners  to  become  proper  and 
pleasing.  Be  it  remembered,  then,  that,  in  ac- 
quiring pleasing  manners,  the  attention  must  first 
be  directed  to  the  heart !  Banish  from  it  all  im- 
proper desires  and  evil  dispositions,  all  emotions 
of  haughtiness,  pride,  envy,  jealousy,  hatred  and 
enniity — let  no  feelings  obtain  ascendancy  there, 


FORMING    THE    MANNERS.  289 

but  such  as  are  amiable,  kind,  and  praiseworthy-— 
and  without  the  shade  of  a  doubt,  your  deport- 
ment will  be  appropriate  and  attractive. 

You  should  not  mistake  in  what  the  character- 
istics of  a  genuine  "  lady"  consist.  Remembei 
that  "in  this  privileged  land,  where  we  acknowl- 
edge no  distinctions  but  what  are  founded  on 
character  and  manners,  she  is  a  lady  who,  to  in- 
Dred  modesty  and  refinement,  adds  a  scrupulous 
attention  to  the  rights  and  feelings  of  others. 
Let  her  worldly  possessions  be  great  or  small,  let 
her  occupations  be  what  they  may,  such  a  one 
is  a  lady,  B.  gentlewoman!  While  the  person 
who  is  bold,  coarse,  vociferous,  and  inattentive  to 
the  rights  and  feelings  of  others,  who  is  haughty 
and  overbearing,  let  her  possessions  be  ever  so 
great,  and  her  way  of  living  ever  so  genteel,  and 
her  beauty  ever  so  fascinating,  is  a  vulgar  wo- 
man. Thus  we  may  sec  a  ludy  sewing  for  her 
livelihood,  and  a  vulgar  woman  moving  in  fash- 
ionable circles,  or  presiding  over  a  most  expen- 
sive establishment." 

In  forming  the  manners,  it  is  well  to  adopt 
some  model  for  imitation.  To  this  end,  select 
from  the  circle  of  your  acquaintance,  some  one  or 
more  females  who  are  your  seniors  in  age,  whose 
general  deportment  is  worthy  of  your  imitation — ^ 
allowance  being  made  for  diversity  of  age  and 
condition.  Let  your  model  combine  every  qual- 
ification that  is  useful  and  agreeable — remember- 
ing that  "  those  who  speak  well  and  do  well, 
25 


2lH)  Foa-Ml.>G    THE    MA.NNERS. 

ahould  alone  be  imitated."  I  would  not  have 
you  servilely  imitate  every  word  and  action ;  this 
uuiild  bcjGt  a  formality  that  woulJ  be  ilisgust- 
iiig: ;  and  there  are  peculiarities  in  manners  whicii 
are  beconiing  in  some,  that  would  be  disaijreea- 
ble  and  repulsive  in  others.  But  by  having  an 
example  before  you,  and  by  conforming  therewith 
in  your  general  deportment,  your  demeanor  will 
soon  naturally  become  characterized  by  an  attrac- 
tive propriety. 

Affectation  and  vanity  are  to  he  sedulously 
avoided  by  every  young  woman.  To  assume 
manners,  attitudes,  and  forms  of  speech,  that  are 
not  natural  or  becoming — to  take  upon  you  an 
appearance  of  accomplishments  and  refinements, 
which  you  do  not  possess — in  fine,  to  pretend  to 
be  what  you  arc  not — is  a  practice  exceedingly 
repulsive ;  it  is  unworthy  the  female  character, 
and  will  subj,ect  you  to  ridicule  and  contempt.  It 
is  assuming  a  gloss  which  is  easily  seen  through 
— it  is  adopting  a  deception  which  is  readily  de- 
tected ;  and  the  results  of  these  false  assumptions 
will  be  greatly  to  your  injury.  Never  be  guilty 
of  puerile  affectations  and  indications  of  false 
modesty.  Let  your  conduct  be  characterized  by 
prudent  frankness,  simplicity,  and  candor,  and  it 
will  be  far  more  agreeable  and  winning.  "  Del- 
icacy is,  in  truth,  a  shy  and  sensitive  plant,  which 
shrmks  from  observation,  and  is  frequently  most 
abundant  where  the  least  of  it  is  obtruded  upon 
our  notice.     There  are,  doubtless,  some  ladies. 


FORMING    THE    ..IANNER8.  291 

who  from  nourisiiing  a  moibid  sensibility,  are 
delicate  to  excess.  But,  generally  speaking,  they 
who  make  a  troublesome  and  ostentatious  display 
of  delicacy,  atfect  that  which  they  do  not  feel. 
The  young  reader  may  be  assured,  that  this  affec- 
tation is  not  only  wicked  for  its  hypocrisy,  but 
very  injurious  to  the  reputation  of  those  who  dis- 
play it.  Real  piety  shuns  all  singularities,  and 
never  courts  observation  by  ostentatious  rigor. 
It  is  the  same  with  delicacy.  That  which  is 
real,  is  always  unobtrusive  and  unstudied.  The 
innocent,  having  nothing  to  conceal,  practice  no 
art;  and  an  open  simplicity  of  manner,  the  very 
reverse  of  affectation,  is  an  infallible  symptom 
and  sure  companion  of  true  delicacy." 

You  -should  also  avoid  a  haughty,  overbearing 
disposition  and  air.  This  is  deprecated  when 
seen  in  men  ;  but  it  is  far  more  unnatural  and 
disagreeable  in  women.  With  those  who,  from 
their  vices,  are  unworthy  your  respect,  you 
should  hold  no  intercourse  whatever.  But  who- 
ever, from  their  virtues,  are  deserving  your  re- 
spect, should  be  treated  in  accordance  with  their 
merits.  Your  conduct  towards  them  should  be 
marked  by  affability,  condescension,  and  esteem, 
whatever  may  be  their  rank  or  condition.  A 
haughty  woman  is  disliked  by  her  own  sex,  and 
shunned  by  the  other,  as  one  who  is,  or  will  be,  a 
termagant. 

There  are  several  qualifications  indispensably 
requisite  to  the  deportin^'nt  of  ladiee.  and  without 


292  FORMING    Tllli   MANNERB. 

which,  all  other  conceivable  accomplishnQents 
are  vain.  It  is  hardly  necessary  to  inform  the 
young  lady,  that  among  these,  modesty,  holds  the 
highest  rank.  Modesty  is  a  bright  jewel  in  the 
character  of  woman.  It  imparts  a  loveliness  and 
attraction  to  all  accomplishments,  which  we  look 
for  in  vain  in  its  absence.  '•  It  heightens  all  the 
virtues  which  it  accompanies  ;  like  the  shades  in 
paintings,  it  raises  and  rounds  every  figure,  and 
makes  the  colors  more  beautiful,  though  not  so 
glaring  as  they  would  be  without  it."  Modesty 
is  not  only  an  ornament  to  the  female  character, 
but  one  of  its  surest  safe-guards.  It  is  a  monitor 
that  warns  of  approaching  danger,  and  ca^ises  its 
possessor  to  flee  from  evil,  and  to  shrink  from 
even  the  appearance  of  impropriety.  Addison 
asserts  with  truth,  that  ''  if  you  banish  modesty 
out  of  the  world,  she  carries  away  with  her,  half 
the  virtue  there  is  in  it."  And  I  would  add,  if 
you  banish  modesty  from  the  characteristics  of 
woman,  you  destroy  one  of  the  highest  attractions 
she  possesses.  Modesty  atones  for  the  absence 
of  many  other  accomplishments.  The  young 
lady  who  is  unskilled  in  many  of  the  technicali- 
ties of  refinement,  is  still  attractive  when  modes- 
ty characterizes  her  demeanor — while  the  reign- 
ing belle,  who  is  a  proficient  in  all  the  accom- 
plishments of  the  age,  is  repulsive  and  disgust- 
ing, when  exhibiting  an  immodest  demeanor. 

In  connection  with  this  subject,  there  is  a  prac- 
tice against  which  I  can  not  avoid  cautioning 


FORMING    TUi;    MANNERS,  i293" 

young  ladies.  I  refer  to  public  "  fairs,"  or  auc- 
tions— one  of  those  modern  schemes  in  which 
ladies  have  been  induced  to  engage,  to  filch 
money  from  community.  In  these  "fairs,"  young 
women  present  themselves  to  the  gaze  of  a  mis- 
cellaneous multitude,  as  public  traffickers;  and 
every  device  is  put  into  execution,  to  draw  "  the 
filthy  lucre"  from  the  pockets  of  gentlemen.  Is 
it  not  evident,  that  on  these  occasions,  many 
ladies  place  more  dependence  upon  a  display  of 
their  charms  and  the  fascination  of  their  manners, 
to  obtain  money,  than  upon  the  real  value  of  the 
articles  exposed  for  sale?  These  "fairs"  could, 
with  more  propriety,  be  termed  "public  marts  for 
the  display  of  female  arts  and  fascinations." — 
These  public  exhibitions — these  scenes  of  ban- 
tering and  trickery — require  in  the  ladies  enga- 
ged in  them,  a  boldness,  a  brazen  confidence,  a 
masculine  air  and  manner,  little  according  with 
that  retiring  modesty,  that  sensitive  delicacy,  so 
pre-eminently  becoming  in  woman !  I  would 
caution  young  ladies  against  this  public  display 
of  their  persons — this  practice  of  extorting  and 
begging  money  from  the  male  sex.  It  has  an  in- 
decorous appearance,  and  its  tendency  upon  their 
modesty  and  innate  purity  of  heart,  must  be  any 
thing  but  salutary.  I  am  aware  that  these 
schemes  are  generally  got  up  under  the  ostensible 
name  of  charity.  But  who  does  not  know  that 
there  are  other,  and  more  commendable  and  ap- 
propriate ways,  in  which  ladies  can  exert  them- 
25* 


294  rOHMINQ     IHE    MAf^NERS. 

•elves  ill  ilie  cause  of  true  benevolence,  without 
violating  that  delicacy  which  is  the  crowning 
charm  of  their  nature? 

Gentleness  is  another  necessary  ingredient  in 
the  manners  of  the  lady.  A  harsh,  headstrong 
disposition,  is  peculiarly  unbecoming  in  woman  ; 
it  gives  a  masculine  cast  to  her  character,  which 
is  far  from  being  agreeable.  Superior  talents  and 
elegant  accomplishments  are  entirely  negatory, 
unless  accompanied  by  a  gentle,  docile  disposi- 
tion. Gentleness  is  peculiarly  a  womanly  endow- 
ment. It  imparts  a  sweetness,  an  attraction,  to 
the  whole  character,  that  is  truly  prepossessing. 

Young  ladies  can  not  be  too  cautious  in  regard 
10  their  deportment  towards  their  associates  of 
the  male  sex.  In  this  respect,  there  are  two  ex- 
tremes to  be  avoided — a  forward,  coquetish  famil- 
iarity, on  the  one  hand,  and  a  prudish,  afTected 
reserve,  on  the  other.  To  shun  both  these  ex- 
tremes, and  occupy  that  medium  ground  which  is 
dictated  by  propriety,  is  that  peculiar  province  of 
woman,  in  which  her  own  good  sense  must  be 
her  director.  You  should,  however,  be  aware, 
that  the  conversation  and  manners  of  young  men 
in  your  presence,  will  depend  much  upon  your 
own  tastes.  You  have  no  inconsiderable  power 
in  causing  their  demeanor  toward  you  to  be 
agreeable.  If,  as  has  been  remarked  in  another 
chapter,  their  language  or  deportment  is  not  such 
as  you  would  have  it,  much  of  the  blame  can  be 
attached  to  yourselves  ;  because  you  have  the 


FORMING    THE    MANNERS.  295 

remedy  in  your  own  hands.  By  withdrawing 
from  tlieir  presence,  or  by  a  firm,  decided  repri- 
mand, you  can  show  your  displeasure,  and  the 
evil  is  remedied.  For,  believe  me,  when  young  , 
men  ascertain  your  principles  and  tastes,  they 
will  studiously  endeavor  to  conform  to  them,  if 
they  desire  to  frequent  your  company. 

Never  aspire  after  the  name  of  a  "  belle." 
Young  ladies  of  this  character,  may  be  followed 
by  a  crowd  of  flatterers  for  a  season  ;  but  they 
are  utterly  incapable  of  inspiring  that  true  affec- 
tion which  is  so  requisite  to  the  peace  and  happi- 
ness of  woman.  They  are  despised  by  their  own 
sex,  and  distrusted  by  the  other.  And  after 
reigning  for  a  season,  they  generally  throw  them- 
selves away  on  some  senseless  fop,  incapable  of 
cherishing  true  esteem,  to  pass  with  him  a 
wretched  life.  "  Men  of  loose  morals  or  imper- 
tinent behavior,  must  always  be  avoided  ;  or,  if 
at  any  time  you  are  obliged  to  be  in  their  com- 
pany, you  must  keep  them  at  a  distance  by  cold 
civility.  But  in  regard  to  those  gentlemen  with 
whom  your  parents  or. guardians  think  it  proper 
for  you  to  associate,  and  who  give  no  offence  by 
their  manners,  to  them  behave  with  the  same 
frankness  and  simplicity  as  if  they  were  of  your 
own  sex.  If  you  have  natural  modesty,  you  will 
never  transgress  its  bounds  whilst  you  converse 
with  a  man,  as  one  rational  creature  with  another. 
You  should  endeavor  to  distinguish  real  esteem 
and  love  f  "m  idle  gallantry  and  unmeaning  fine 


S90  rORMINU     IHE    MAMN£R8. 

speeches.  The  slighter  notice  you  take  of  these 
last,  the  better;  but  the  first  must  be  treated  with 
seriousness  and  well-bred  sincerity — not  giving 
the  least  encouragement  you  do  not  mean,  nor 
assuming  airs  of  contempt,  where  it  is  not  de- 
served."* 

The  subject  of  female  manners  can  not  be  bet- 
ter summed  up,  than  in  the  words  of  a  late  wri- 
ter, who  thus  speaks  of  Mrs.  Hannah  More,  the 
celebrated  English  authoress :—"  It  was  my 
privilege,  a  few  years  ago,  to  make  a  visit  to  the 
residence  of  this  distinguished  female;  a  visit 
which  I  have  ever  since  regarded  as  among  the 
ilie  happiest  incidents  of  my  life.  At  that  time 
she  numbered  more  than  four  score  years  ;  but 
the  vigor  of  her  intellect  was  scarcely  at  all  im- 
paired. In  her  manners  she  united  the  dignity 
and  refinement  of  the  court,  with  the  most  ex- 
quisite urbanity  and  gentleness,  which  the  female 
character,  in  its  loveliest  forms,  ever  exhibited. 
She  impressed  me  continually  with  a  high  sense 
of  the  intellectual  and  moral  qualities  by  which 
she  was  distinguished,  but  still  left  me  as  uncon- 
strained as  if  I  had  been  conversing  with  my  be- 
loved child.  .  There  was  an  air  of  graceful  and 
unaffected  ease ;  an  instinctive  regard  to  the 
most  delicate  proprieties  of  social  intercourse — a 
readiness  to  communicate,  and  yet  a  desire  to 
listen — the  dignity  of  conscious    merit,   united 

♦  Young  Lady's  Own  Book. 


FORMING    THE   MANNERS.  297 

with  the  humility  of  the  devoted  Christian — in 
short,  there  was  sach  an  assemblage  of  intellec- 
tual and  moral  excellences  beaming  forth  in 
every  expression,  and  look,  and  attitude^  that  I 
could  scarcely  conceive  of  a  more  perfect  exhibi- 
tion of  human  character. 


CHAPTER    V. 


THE    HABITS. 


Habit  exercises  a  most  powerful  sway  over 
human  actions.  It  is  a  chain  that  is  insidiously 
\vinding  itself  around  us,  and  binding  us  to  vir- 
tue or  vice — to  principles  that  will  lead  to  pros- 
perity and  peace,  or  to  practices  which  will  in- 
volve us  in  infamy  and  wretchedness.  With  our 
existence  commences  our  habits;  and  in  exact 
ratio  with  our  bodies  do  they  increase  in  strength 
and  power.  The  character  of  the  habits  depends 
entirely  upon  circumstances,  the  kind  of  instruc- 
tion to  which  we  have  been  subjected,  and  the 
nature  of  the  influences  exercised  over  us.  Habits 
formed  in  infancy  and  childliood,  can  easily  be 
corrected  and  moulded  into  the  desired  channels  ; 
but  those  fixed  upon  us  at  maturity,  it  is  extreme- 
ly difficult  and  often  impossible  to  eradicate,  or 
even  to  modify  to  nny  great  extent.  Youth 
therefore,  wJien  ilie  judgnient  has  become  suffi- 
ciently developed  to  meditate  seriously  upon 
those  subject.?  that  pertain  to  our  welfare,  is  a 

2m 


THE    HAB1T3.  299 

season  peculiarly  well  fitted  for  the  formation  of 
those  habits  which  Ave  woultl  have  influence. us 
througli  liie.'  Let  a  proper  foundation  be  laid  in 
youth — let  the  habits  both  cf  body  and  of  mind, 
be  examined  and  corrected — let  those  that  are 
deleterious  be  expunged,  and  those  that  are  good 
be  added — and  the  beneficial  fruits  of  this  labor 
will  be  experienced  through  life. 

Good  habits  should  be  esteemed  as  valuable 
friends.  They  will  assist  you  in  every  proper 
thought  and  deed  ;  and  they  not  only  impart  their 
own  grateful  fruits,  but  they  possess  the  most 
valuable  tendencies — purifying  the  mind  and 
leading  it  genfly  in  the  paths  of  virtue  and  pro- 
priety. One  good  habit  opens  the  door  for  the 
introduction  of  another — and  as  they  increase  in 
number,  they  all  increase  in  power,  in  influence 
and  durability.  But  you  should  always  look  upon 
bad  habits  as  your  enemies.  They  oppose  your 
enjoyment  and  prosperity  ;  and  just  so  far  as 
their  influence  extends,  to  the  same  degree  will 
you  be  involved  in  wretchedness  and  ignominy. 
One  bad  habit  will  not  remain  satisfied  in  pos- 
session of  your  mind.  Its  deleterious  influence 
will  not  only  direetly  afiect  your  enjoyments,  but 
will  be  continually  exerted  to  call  in  another  evil 
habit,  and  another,  until  they  become  a  multitude, 
gaining  gradually  an  entire  control  over  you. 
And  remember,  that  as  your  bad  habits  increase  in 
number,  they  also  increase  in  strength  and  deprav- 
ity, until  they  finally  plunge  their  victim  into  the 


300  THE    H\BIT9. 

depths  of  wretchedness.  You  should,  hence,  be 
extremely  cautious  not  to  acquire  even  one  habit 
thil  is  of  a  demoralizing  or  injurious  character; 
for  you  can  resist  the  encroachments  of  one,  with 
far  greater  success,  than  to  delay  until  it  is  rein- 
forced by  a  multitude.  Strike  down  the  first  of 
these  foes,  however  feeble  it  may  appear,  and  then 
you  may  be  able  to  resist  the  host  in  its  rear;  but 
admit  a  few  of  the  vanguard,  and  they  will  exert 
themselves  to  bind  your  higher  powers,  and  in- 
troduce all  their  evil  companions. 

Allow  me  to  direct  your  attention  to  a  few  of 
the  habits  indispensably  necessary  to  the  pros- 
perity of  young  ladies. 

Industry. — The  benefits  of  industry  are  mani- 
fold. You  were  made  for  industrious  activity. 
This  is  evident  from  the  construction  of  your 
bodies.  For  what  purpose  were  joints,  and  sin- 
ews, and  muscles,  given  to  you,  but  for  exercise? 
By  a  proper  use  of  them,  you  will  secure  health 
and  its  enjoyments;  but  if  you  allow  them  to  re- 
main almost  wholly  inactive,  the  consequences 
will  be  painful  diseases  and  early  decay.  Every 
/hing  in  nature's  works  exhibits  industry.  The 
earth  never  wearies  in  its  diurnal  and  annual  rev- 
olutions; the  rapid  wind,  the  falling  rain,  the 
lushing  rivulet,  the  billowy  ocean,  all  exhibit 
ceaseless  industry.  And  animals  of  every  spe- 
cies display  an  activity  in  accordance  with  their 
construction  and  wants.  Even  the  vegetable 
kingdom  is  filled  with  industry — 


THE    HAB1T3.  30' 

•*  See  dying  vegetables  life  sustain, 

See  life  dissolving,  vegetate  a^ain; 

All  forms  that  perish,  other  forms  supply." 

By  what  rule  is  the  human  race  exempted  fron 
sharing  ia  this  universal  industry  ?  Tho*;e  whc 
look  upan  occupation  a  .-:  labor  as  tvils,  are  evi 
dently  ignorant  of  their  own  construction  and  na 
ture.  A  slight  acquaintance  with  the  principle! 
of  physiology,  will  instruct  you,  that  without 
bodily  exercise,  you  can  not  experience  the  high 
blessing  of  health.  If  you  arrest  the  course  o<! 
the  pure  gushing  stream,  and  cause  its  waters  U 
stagnate,  how  soon  it  becomes  filmy  and  nause- 
ous— a  green  slime  gathers  on  its  surface  anc 
noxious  insects  breed  in  its  bosom  !  And  thus  ii 
is  with  a  human  body.  Let  it  remain  inactivt 
and  dormant — let  its  muscles  and  sinews  be  bui 
seldom  and  slightly  exercised — cramp  and  circum- 
scribe its  powers  and  energies,  and  debility  and 
sickness  ere  long  ensue.  This  is,  evidently,  tht 
reason  why  so  many  people  of  wealth  (especially 
females)  are  afflicted  with  lingering  diseases 
Looking  upon  industrious  occupation  as  degra 
ding  and  upnecessary,  they  indulge  in  slothful  and 
misnamed  ease;  and  when  the  bitter  etfect  ol 
their  folly  comes  upon  them — when  the  pamper- 
ed body  is  filled  with  disease  and  pain,  they  per- 
haps murmur  at  the  decrees  of  Providence.  But 
the  blame  can  not  be  attached  to  Providence. 
The  Creator  formed  the  human  race  with  capa- 
bilities of  great  enjoyment ;  and  if  they  fail  prop- 
26 


302  THE    HABITS. 

erljr  to  exercise  these  capacities,  the  deficiency  io 
their  pleasures  will  be  of  their  own  procuring. 
And  it  is  in  vain  to  resort  to  nostrums  to  build 
up  an  artificial  health.  Having  been  lost  by  lux- 
ury and  slothfuinessj  hcalih  cannot  be  regained 
but  by  temperance  and  an  industrious  employ- 
ment. 

It  is  peculiarly  necessary  that  young  women 
should  have  much  exercise.  It  develops  their 
frames,  strengthens  their  constitutions,  and  gives 
the  freshness  of  health  to  all  their  bodily  origans, 
and  the  glow  of  beauty  to  their  countenances. 
It  is  a  lack  of  industrious  occupation,  tiiat  gives 
paleness  to  the  features,  and  brings  disease  and 
early  dissolution  to  the  bodies  of  so  many  females. 
There  is  no  trait  in  a  young  lady  more  useful  and 
admirable,  than  industry.  It  is  a  high  recommen- 
dation to  the  favor  of  those  whose  approbation  is 
desirable.  But  how  reprehensil)le,  how  repulsive 
and  disgusting,  is  indolence  m  a  young  woman. 
She  who  loiters  aw^ay  her  time  over  a  novel,  or  in 
idle  gossip,  while,  perhaps,  her  aged  mother  is 
overloaded  with  the  affairs  of  the  household,  ia 
marked  by  community.  No  one  can  respect  or 
admireTier.  While  she  continues  a  stave  to  in- 
dolence, she  is  the  most  useless  object  on  earth! 
Utterly  incapable  of  usefulness,  or  of  conferring 
any  valuable  benefit  upon  her  fellow-beings,  she 
is  a  burden  to  herself  and  to  those  with  whom 
she  is  connected. 

If  you  would  enjoy  health  and  retain  beauty — 


THE    HABITS.  S03 

if  you  would  secure  esteem  and  affection — if  you 
would  be  useful  to  yourself  and  the  world — you 
must  be  industrious.  Let  your  circumstances  b2 
what  they  may,  industry  is  inseparably  connected 
with  your  happiness.  You  should  acquire  the 
habit  of  being  constantly  employed  in  some  use- 
ful manner,  and  should  frequently  engage  in  those 
occupations  which  call  into  exercise  your  bodily 
strength  and  activity.  A  female  writer  remarks : 
"  While  the  most  delicate  effects  of  the  needle 
rank  high  among  accomplishments,  its  necessary 
departments  are  not  beneath  the  notice  of  the 
>nost  refined  young  lady.  To  keep  her  own 
wardrobe  perfectly  in  order,  to  pay  just  regard  to 
economy  and  to  the  comfort  of  the  poor,  will  in- 
duce her  to  obtain  a  knowledge  of  those  inven- 
tions by  which  the  various  articles  of  apparel  are 
repaired,  modified,  and  renovated.  True  satis- 
faction and  cheerfulness  of  spirits  are  connected 
with  these  quiet  and  congenial  pursuits.  The 
generous  pleasure  of  relieving  a  mother  or  a  friend 
from  the  pressure  of  care,  will  sometimes  induce 
young  ladies  to  acquaint  themselves  with  em- 
ployments which  enable  them,  when  the  more 
complex  duties  of  life  devolve  on  them,  to  en- 
joy and  impart  the  delights  of  a  well-ordered 
home." 

'•  //  rains  !  What  lady  loves  a  rainy  day  7 

She  loves  a  rainy  day  who  sweeps  the  hearth, 

And  threads  the  busy  needle,  or  applies 

The  scissors  to  the  torn  or  thread-bare  sleeves, 

Wha  blesses  God  that  she  has  friends  and  home  : 


304  THE    HABITS. 

Who  in  the  peUing  of  the  storm  will  think 
Of  some  poor  neighbor  tliai  she  can  befriend; 
Wl^.o  trims  the  lamp  at  niijhf,  and  reads  aloud 
To  a  young  brother,  talcs  he  loves  lo  hear ; 
Such  are  not  sad  even  on  a  rainy  day." 

Economy  is  another  liabii  that  young  ladies 
should  cultivate.  Although  you  may  not  realize 
the  importance  of  this  habit  so  sensibly  in  your 
present  condition,  yet  ere  long  you  may  be  in 
circumstances  where  it  will  be  highly  necessary. 
In  the  marriage  stale,  the  success  and  prosperity 
of  the  husband,  depend,  in  no  small  degree,  upon 
the  economy  of  the  wife.  If  she  is  prudent  and 
economical — if  she  indulges  in  no  unnecessary 
display  and  expense — their  united  efforts  can 
hardly  fail  of  acquiring  a  competency,  if  not  a 
fortune.  But  if  she  is  careless  and  indifferent — 
if  she  squanders  in  useless  finery  and  costly  ar- 
ray, the  fruits  of  her  husband's  exertions — his 
efforts  will  be  in  vain— his  energies  will  be  par- 
alyzed—and disappointment  and  poverty  will  al- 
most certainly  he  the  fruit  of  her  foolish  blind- 
ness. How  many  families  have  been  reduced 
from  affluence  to  the  depths  of  poverty,  entirely- 
through  lack  of  economy  in  the  wife  ! 

Economy,  in  a  great  degree,  is  a  habit ;  and 
like  other  habits,  it  must  be  acquired.  It  is  there- 
fore necessary,  highly  so,  that  ladies  should  ac- 
quire this  habit  while  young,  if  they  would  reap 
its  benefits  in  after  life.  You  should  study  econ- 
omy in  all  your  expenditures,  however  trifling, 
and  in  all  your  domestic  affairs.      You  will  thus 


THE    HABITS.  305 

readily  acquire  a  habit  which  will  recommend 
you  to  the  prudent  and  worthy,  and  which  can  not 
fail  of  enhancing  your  future  prosperity.  But  the 
female  spendthrift  is  as  odious  as  the  male.  She 
is  acquiring  habits  which  will  cause  the  discreet 
to  avoid  any  connection  with  her,  and  the  fruits 
01  which  may  be  poverty,  want,  and  distress.       ' 

It  is  hardly  necessary  to  say,  that  habits  of 
neatness  are  indispensable  to  the  young  lady.  It 
is  impossible  to  describe  the  disagreeable  appear- 
ance of  a  slovenly  woman  !  Even  high  virtues 
can  not  prevent  that  nauseating  disgust,  which  a 
want  of  neatness  invariably  creates.  Every  young 
lady  should  cultivate  a  habit  of  neatness  in  her 
appearance.  You  can  not  be  too  particular  ih 
this  respect.  In  every  proper  condition  and  occu- 
pation, you  can  present  a  neatness  highly  com- 
mendable and  attractive.  If  you  would  not  drive 
from  your  presence,  with  no  strong  desire  to  re- 
turn, those  whose  esteem  you  desire  to  secure, 
avoid  carefully  all  approach  to  slovenliness — it 
dims  all  other  qualification^. 

Gossiping  is  a  habit  to  be  avoided.  This  is 
said  to  be  peculiarly  a  defect  of  females.  I  am 
not  prepared  to  subscribe  fully  to  this  sentiment. 
While  I  have  known  many  women  who  are  not 
addicted  to  this  practice,  I  have  at  the  same  time 
been  acquainted  with  numbers  of  the  other  sex, 
to  whom  ii  might  justly  be  charged.  If  women 
exhibit  a  disposition  to  converse  upon  trifling 
matters,  and  in  disparagement  of  others,  to  a 
26* 


306  THE    HABITS. 

greater  degree  than  men,  it  should  be  attributed 
ratlier  to  a  volatile  disposition  and  their  peculiar 
condition  in  society,  than  to  a  defect  in  sense,  or 
to  a  fault-finding  propensity.  This  defect,  how- 
ever, it  must  be  acknowledged,  is  often  carried  to 
extremes  in  females.  There  are  those  who  seem 
especially  to  deligjjt  in  conveying  frivolous  re- 
ports throughout  the  neighborhood,  and  in  con- 
versing with  great  earnestness  in  regard  to  them; 
and  they  are  particularly  cautious  that  the  sub- 
jects of  their  communications  shall  not  lack  for 
embellishments,  while  in  their  hands.  Such  peo- 
ple are  not  generally  notorious  for  exercising  much 
care  in  selecting  their  topics,  or  in  ascertaining 
the  truth  of  the  reports  which  are  injurious  to 
those  to  whom  they  relate.  To  talk,  seems  to  be 
their  great  desire;  and  it  matters  little  to  them, 
%vhat  the  subject  is,  so  long  as  they  find  food  for 
their  volubility.  Steele,  the  old  English  writer, 
remarks :  "  The  truth  is,  the  inquisitive  [and  the 
same  may  be  said  of  gossipers]  are  the  funnels 
of  conversation  ;  they  do  not  lake  in  any  thing 
for  their  own  use,  but  merely  to  pass  it  to  another : 
they  are  the  channels  through  which  all  the  good 
and  evil  that  is  spoken  in  town,  are  conveyed." 

This  unfortunate  practice  of  gossiping,  is,  tea 
great  degree,  a  habit,  and  like  other  habits,  is  ac- 
quired ;  and  when  once  it  is  fastened  upon  you, 
it  will  be  difficult  to  divest  yourself  of  its  influ- 
ence. Young  ladies  should  endeavor  to  rise 
above  this  low  and  puerile  practice,  and  should 


THE   HABITS.  30f 

exert  themselves  to  avoid  it  entirely.  There  are 
a  few  suggestions  which,  if  properly  adhered  to, 
will  have  a  tendency  to  preserve  you  from  its  de- 
grading power.  In  the  first  place,  be  not  too  in- 
quisitive in  regard  to  the  affairs  of  your  neigh- 
bors, or  those  with  whom  yoii  mingle.  "  Mind 
your  own  business,"  is  a  motto  worthy  of  being 
engraved  upon  the  door  of  every  dwelling.  Be 
attentive  to  your  own  affairs,  and  never  allow  idle 
curiosity  to  urge  you  to  mtermeddle  with  that  in 
which  you  are  not  directly  interested.  The  old 
maxim  is  eminently  true— "Let  every  individual 
sweep  before  their  own  door,  and  there  will  be  a 
clean  street."  In  the  next  place,  never  attribute 
a  wrong  act  to  any  individual,  withotit  the  most 
ample  proof  that  the  implicated  is  guilty.  Sur- 
mises are  no  proper  foundation  for  evil  reports 
against  your  neighbor ;  and  you  should  never 
give  publicity  to  rumors  founded  solely  upon  the 
"guess-work"  of  some  evil-minded  busy-body. 
When  you  are  fully  satisfied  that  yotir  neighbor 
has  been  guilty  of  misconduct,  consider,  before 
you  retail  it  to  the  world,  whether  any  benefit  can 
accrue  in  pursuing  this  course,  either  to  yourself 
to  the  community  at  large,  or  to  the  individual 
guilty.  If  good  can  not  in  this  manner  be  made 
to  flow  to  either  party,  then  remain  silent ;  for  no 
principle  would  justify  you,  under  these  circum- 
stances, in  spreading  the  faults  of  your  fellow-be- 
ings before  a  gainsaying  world  !  And,  lastly, 
when  you  do  feel  called  upon  to  speak  of  their 


308  THE    HABtTfi. 

aberrations,  be  extremely  cautious  that  you  do 
not  amplify  and  enlarge  them.  Speak  the  sim- 
ple truth,  and  "  nought  extenuate,  and  nought  set 
down  in  malice." 

Guard  against  indulging  in  anger.  A  peevish 
disposition  is  exceedingly  unpleasant  in  ladies. 
It  is  undoubtedly  true,  that  some  are  constitution- 
ally more  irritable  than  others;  yet  the  visible 
outbreakings  of  anger  depend  much  upon  habit. 
If  you  allow  every  trifling  circumstance  that  does 
not  coincide  with  your  wishes,  to  irritate  you  into 
ill  temper,  you  will  not  only  be  irascible  for  the 
moment,  but  in  this  manner  a  confirmed  habit  ot 
peevishness  will  grow  upon  you,  which  you  will 
find  it  difficult  to  control,  even  in  circumstances 
where  it  would  be  extremely  desirable  to  do  so. 
I  need  only  invite  the  young  lady  to  contemplate 
her  countenance  in  the  mirror,  when  she  is  in  an- 
ger, or  indulges  in  sour,  morose  feelings,  to  satis- 
fy her  how  much  to  her  disadvantage  are  these 
emotions,  in  addition  to  the  actual  pain  which  they 
invariably  bring  upon  her.  To  avoid  a  habit  of 
petulance,  you  should  school  your  feelings  into 
self-control,  and  not  allow  small  disappointments 
to  destroy  the  equilibrium  of  your  mind.  Culti- 
vate social,  benevolent,  and  friendly  feelings,  and 
a  forgiving  spirit.  While  these  emotions  pervade 
and  control  the  mind,  peevishness,  ill  temper,  and 
moroseness,  with  all  their  unhappy  effects,  will 
be  entirely  banished. 

Finally,  watch  closely  the  habits  that  are  set- 


THE   HABllS.  309 

tlmg  upon  you.  Allow  and  cultivate  none  that 
will  not  have  an  influence  to  make  you  virtuous, 
amiable,  respected,  and  useful  to  yourself  and  to 
your  fellow-beings.  Whatever  exercises  a  con- 
trary tendency,  should  be  avoided  as  subversive 
of  your  character  and  happiness. 


CHAPTER    VI. 


DOMESTIC    DUTIES. 


Home  is  woman's  proper  sphere  and  empirr. 
It  is  the  scene  for  the  display  of  her  excellences 
and  her  worthiness.  Does  woman  desire  to  be 
useful  ? — where  can  she  be  more  useful  than  at 
home  ?  Would  she  be  respected  ? — how  more  so, 
than  in  faithfully  discharging  her  domestic  du- 
ties ?  Would  she  display  her  accomplishments, 
and  substantiate  her  claims  upon  the  confidence 
and  affection  of  man? — in  what  sphere  can  she 
more  perfectly  reveal  her  valuable  characteristics, 
than  at  home  ?  Would  she  be  happy  ? — where 
can  she  seek  the  pure  happiness  of  the  heart,  if  it 
is  not  to  be  found  at  home?  Home  is  the  foun- 
tain of  woman's  enjoyments,  and  the  common 
centre  around  which  should  cluster  her  sweetest 
hopes  and  anticipations!  There  she  can  sliine 
and  excel — there  she  can  instruct  and  purify  those 
who  are  within  the  sphere  of  her  influence. 
When  woman  neglects  home,  under  the  prompt- 
ings of  ambition,  to  mingle,  and  shine,  and  excel, 

310 


DOxMESTIC    DUTIES.  311 

in  oiher  scenes  and  in  other  pursuits,  she  launch- 
es her  frail  bark  upon  a  tempestuous  ocean,  where 
the  dangers  of  shipwreck  and  ruin  are  scattered 
around  on  every  hand. 

Home  being  the  natural  and  proper  field  of 
woman's  duties,  how  important,  how  necessary, 
that  she  should  become  acquainted,  to  a  good  de- 
gree, with  the  character  and  demands  of  these 
duties.  Under  the  sanctions  of  the  marriage 
covenant,  home  is  the  scene  over  which  most  of 
the  young  ladies  whom  I  address,  will  ere  long 
be  called  to  preside.  This  change  in  your  cir- 
cumstances, you  have  undoubtedly  anticipated. 
But  have  you  reflected  deeply  and  seriously  upon 
its  nature  ? — have  you  meditated  upon  the  varied 
responsibilities  which  will  rest  upon  you,  in  di- 
recting the  internal  interests  of  the  family  circle? 
It  is  to  be  feared,  that  too  many  expecting  soon 
to  become  Avives,  are  sadly  deficient  in  a  knowl- 
edge of  those  home  duties,  upon  a  faithful  dis- 
charge of  which  depend,  in  so  great  a  degree,  the 
enjoyments  of  the  domestic  fireside.  They  can 
twang  a  guitar,  drum  upon  a  piano,  and  glide 
with  gracelulness  through  the  mazes  of  the  giddy 
waltz — but  of  what  avail  are  these  accomplish- 
ments, in  discharging  those  important  trusts 
which  devolve  upon  the  mistress  of  the  house- 
hold, the  wife  and  the  mother? 

"  There  are  in  the  United  States,  one  hundred 
thousand  young  ladies,  as  Sir  Ralph  Abercrom- 
bie  said  of  those  of  Scotland,  '  the  prettiest  laS' 


312  DOMESTIC    DUTIES. 

aies  in  a'  the  world,'  who  neither  know  how  to 
toil  nor  spin,  who  are  yet  clothed  like  the  lilies  of 
the  valley — who  thrum  the  j)iano,  and  a  [e\v  of  the 
more  dainty,  the  harp — who  walk,  as  the  Bible 
says,  sofily,  lest  brisker  movements  might  snap 
tapes  drawn  to  their  utmost  tension — who  have 
eSd  romances,  and  some  of  them  seen  the  in- 
terior of  theatres — who  have  been  admired  at 
the  examination  of  their  high  schools — who  have 
wrought  algebraic  solutions  on  the  black-board — 
who  ha\e  shown  themselves  no  mean  proficients 
in  the  casuistry  of  Paley — who  are,  in  short,  the 
very  roses  of  the  garden,  the  altar  of  life — who 
yet,  hoyresco  referens^  can  never  expect  to  be 
married  j  or,  if  married,  can  not  expect  to  live 
without — shall  I  speak,  or  forbear? — putting  their 
own  lily  hands  to  domestic  drudgery  !  We  go 
into  the  interior  villages  of  our  recent  wooden 
country.  The  fair  one  sits  down  to  clink  the 
wires  of  the  piano.  We  see  the  fingers  display- 
ed on  the  keys,  which,  we  are  sure,  never  pre- 
pared a  dinner,  or  made  a  garment  for  their  ro- 
bustious brothers We  need  not  enter  in  person. 

Imagination  sees  the  fair,  erect  on  her  music 
stool,  laced,  and  pinioned,  and  bishop-sleeved 
and  deformed  with  hair  torn  from  others'  scalps 
and  reduced  to  a  questionable  class  of  entomolo- 
gy, secundo  more,  dinging,  as  Sawney  would 
say,  at  the  wires,  as  though  she  could,  in  some 
way,  hammer  out  of  them  music,  amusement, 
and  a  husband.     Look  at  her  taper  and  cr«am« 


DOMESTIC    DUTIES.  313 

colored  fingers.  Is  she  a  utilitarian  ?  Ask  the 
fair  one,  when  she  has  heaten  all  the  music  out 
of  the  keys,  '  Pretty  fair  one,  canst  talk  to  thy 
old  and  sick  father,  so  as  to  beguile  him  out  of 
the  headache  and  rheumatism?  Canst  write  a 
good  and  straight-forward  letter  of  business? 
Thou  wast  a  chemist,  I  remember,  at  the  exami- 
nation— canst  compound,  prepare,  and  afterward 
boil  or  bake  a  good  pudding  1  Canst  make  one 
of  the  hundred  subordinate  ornaments  of  thy 
fair  person  ?  In  short,  tell  us  thy  use  in  exist- 
ence, except  to  be  contemplated  as  a  pretty  pic- 
ture.' And  how  long  will  any  one  be  amused 
with  the  view  of  a  picture,  after  having  surveyed 
it  a  dozen  times,  unless  it  have  a  mind,  a  heart, 
and  we  may  emphatically  add,  the  perennial  value 
of  utility? I  have  no  conception  of  a  beauti- 
ful woman,  or  a  fine  man,  in  whose  eye,  in  whose 
port,  in  whose  whole  expression,  this  sentiment 
does  not  stand  embodied — '  I  am  called  by  my 
Creator  to  duties.  I  have  employment  on  earth. 
My  sterner  but  more  enduring  pleasures,  are  in 
discharging  my  duties.'  Compare  the  sedate 
expression  of  this  sentiment  in  the  countenance 
of  man  or  woman,  when  it  is  known  to  stand  as 
the  index  of  character,  and  the  fact,  with  the  mere- 
tricious gaudiness  of  a  simple,  good-for-nothing 
belle,  who  disdains  usefulness  and  employment — 
whose  empire  is  a  ball-room,  and  whose  subjects, 
dandies  as  silly  and  as  useless  as  herself.  Who 
of  the  two,  has  most  attractions  for  a  man  of 
'       27 


314  DOM£e)TlC    DUTIES. 

sense? Parents  of  thought,   and   viriue,  and 

example,  are  called  upon  to  look  to  this  evil. 
Instead  of  training  your  sons  to  waste  their 
time  as  idle  young  gentlemen  at  large — instead 
of  inculcating  on  your  daughters,  that  the  in- 
cessant tinkling  of  a  harpsichord,  or  a  scornful 
and  lady-like  loss  of  the  head,  or  dexterity  ia 
v/altzing,  are  the  chief  requisites  to  make  their 
way  in  life;  if  you  can  find  no  better  employ- 
ment for  the  one,  teach  him  the  use  of  the  grub- 
bing-hoe,  and  learn  the  other  to  make  up  gar- 
ments for  your  servants."* 

This  language  is  deserving  of  great  weight. 
The  enjoyment  and  prosperity  of  woman,  and 
those  connected  M'ith  her,  depend  much  more 
upon  her  skill  in  domestic  affairs,  than  many 
young  ladies  seem  to  imagine.  And  young  men 
of  sense  and  discretion  view  this  qualification 
as  by  no  means  a  trifling  one.  They  will  take 
measures  to  ascertain  the  amount  of  domestic 
knowledge  possessed  by  ladies,  before  they  choose 
them  for  wives.  They  will  not  select  a  "  paint- 
ed butterfly,  fit  only  for  the  sunny  days  of  pros- 
perity," who  fade  into  ill-tempered  termagants 
when  adversities  come,  and  are  unprepared  for 
any  of  the  useful  duties  of  life.  But  more  wise- 
ly, they  will  choose  her  who  will  become  a 
help-mate  indeed — one  who  can  smile  in  ad- 
versity as  well  as  in  prosperity — one  who  can 

♦  Western  Monthly  Review. 


DOxMESTIC   DUTIES.  315 

co-operate  in  retaining  what  is  already  possessed, 
or  if  misfortune  overtake,  who  can  assist  in  re- 
gaining what  has  been  lost.  The  young  man 
who  possesses  the  characteristics  that  are  calcu- 
lated to  make  the  woman  of  his  choice  happy 
through  life,  so  far  from  being  captivated,  is  dis- 
gusted by  those  ladies  who  are 

"  Bred  only  and  completed  to  the  taste  % 

Of  fretful  appetence— to  sing — to  dance — 

To  dress,  and  to  troll  the  tongue,  and  roll  the  eye — 

Yet  empty  of  all  good  wherein  consists 

Woman's  domestic  honor  and  chief  grace." 

It  requires  but  a  slight  glance  into  the  affairs 
of  community,  to  discover  instances  where  the 
ignorance  of  the  wife  in  domestic  duties,  has 
been  one  fruitful  cause  of  involving  the  husband 
in  bankruptcy.  "  A  gay  young  person  of  nine- 
teen, who  had  married  a  respectable  tradesman, 
soon  after  she  left  a  boarding-school,  had  a  young 
friend  in  similar  circumstances,  who  was  la- 
menting their  mutual  ignorance,  and  expressing 
her  fears  that  they  should  be  unable,  little  as 
they  knew  of  domestic  management,  to  acquit 
themselves  well  in  their  new  situations.  'Dear 
me,' was  the  reply,  'I  do  not  trouble  my  head 
about  that;  the  maids  will  do  these  things.'  It 
is  almost  superfluous  to  record  the  sequel.  Her 
husband  was  a  bankrupt  in  two  years  I  So 
well  had  the  maids  managed  for  her !"  How 
many  cases  of  this  description  are  constantly 
occurring! 


316  D0ME8TIU    ULTIES. 

Young  ladies  can  not  expect  to  be  placed  in 
any  circumstances  in  this  republic,  which  will 
justify   them  in  remaining  in  ignorance  of  do* 
meslic   duties.      Suppose  you  are  wealthy,  and 
are  confident  you  will  continue  so  in  the  mar- 
riage state,  still  it  is  very  important  that  you 
should  be  well  skilled  in  domestic  affairs.    With- 
out this  knowledge,  how  entirely  incompetent  are 
you  to  preside  over  the  affairs  of  a  household. 
The  impositions,  inconveniences,  and  vexatious, 
under  which  you  would  labor,  on  account  of  your 
ignorance,  can    easily  be  conceived.     I    do  not 
pretend  that  every  wife  should  herself  engage  in 
all  the  household  transactions;  although  indus- 
trious exercise  in  domestic  occupations,  can  not 
fail   to  benefit   the   health.      The   amount  and 
character  of  her  labors  should  be  in  accordance 
with  her  condition  and  tastes.     But  I  insist  that 
every  wife,  however  aflSuent  her  circumstances, 
should  be  well  versed  in  domestic  duties — sliould 
know  how  they   ought   to  be  discharged!     In 
every  household  there   must   be  some  head,  to 
direct  its  expenses  and  superintend  the  whole 
economy  of  its  domestic   transactions.     If  the 
wife   is  capable   of  this   station,   and  if  she   is 
sufficiently  interested  in  the  affairs  of  her  hus- 
band, to  be  zealous  in  the  discharge  of  its  du- 
ties, every  thing  will  be  conductea  in  a  proper 
manner.     She  will  see  that  there  is  no  extrava- 
gance,  no  unnecessary  waste,  and   that  every 
thing  is  done  in  the  proper  time  and   manner. 


DOMESTIC    DUTIES.  317 

And  her  reward  for  this  devotion  to  the  interests 
of  her  family,  will  be,  not  only  a  saving  in  a 
pecuniary  point  of  view,  but  a  comfort,  a  satis- 
faction, an  enjoyment,  that  can  not  be  obtained 
in  any  other  manner.  But  if  the  mistress  of  the 
household  is  ignorant  of  domestic  affairs,  or  in- 
different in  regard  to  the  manner  in  which  they 
are  discharged  by  others,  she  must  trust  all  to 
domestics,  who  have  no  interest  at  stake.  And 
when  domestics  perceive  that  the  mistress  is  ig- 
norant or  regardless  of  the  internal  interests  of 
the  family,  and  that  they  are  left  to  their  own 
management,  they  are  exceedingly  liable  to  re- 
lapse into  wasteful  and  indolent  habits,  and 
order,  economy,  neatness,  and  comfort,  will  flee 
the  devoted  dwelling,  to  make  room  for  confu- 
sion, prodigality,  sloth,  bankruptcy,  and  wretch- 
edness. 

These  remarks  have  been  made  upon  the  sup- 
position that  you  will  be  surrounded  by  the  ad- 
vantages of  a  fortune.  But  are  you  quite  sure 
that  you  will  marry  wealthy  ?  Or.  if  so,  are  you 
fully  assured  that  you  will  continue  in  affluent 
circumstances  through  life  ?  The  former  may  be 
considered  doubtful,  and  the  latter  is  doubly  un- 
certain. How  many  who  have  entered  the  mar- 
riage state  with  fair  prospects  of  continued 
wealth  and  prosperity,  have  in  a  few  years,  and 
even  in  a  few  months,  been  reduced  to  poverty 
and  want !  Were  this  to  be  your  fate — and  it  is 
quite  probable  it  will  be  experienced  by  some  who 
27* 


318  BOMESTIC    DDTIES. 

peruse  these  lines — how  much  your  misfortune 
would  be  increased  by  an  ignorance  of  domestic 
duties.  The  comfort  of  your  husbauJ  and  family 
depending,  in  a  great  degree,  upon  your  domestic 
exertions,  and  yet  you  entirely  incapable  of 
performing  even  the  most  common  and  necessary 
operations  I  The  husband  would  soon  learn  with 
sorrow,  that  although  in  affluence  you  might  have 
been  an  agreeable  companion,  yet  in  adversity, 
when  it  became  necessary  for  you  to  discharge 
the  real  duties  of  a  wife  and  mother,  you  are 
most  wretchedly  deficient  and  useless. 

It  can  not  be  necessary  to  urge  this  subject  to 
a  greater  extent.  Every  young  lady  possessing 
a  moiety  of  discernment,  must  perceive  the  pro- 
priety of  qualifying  herself  to  discharge,  faithfully 
and  efficiently,  all  the  duties  that  will  hereafter 
devolve  upon  her.  Domestic  economy  is  as 
strictly  a  branch  of  female  education,  as  any  other 
study,  and  the  best  method  of  acquiring  knowl- 
edge upon  this  subject,  is  by  actual  experience! 
You  may  become  familiar  with  the  theory  of 
housewifery,  but  without  practice,  it  will  be  of 
little  avail.  "When  you  actually  put  your  hand 
to  the  work,  you  will  begin  to  learn  ;  but  unless 
you  put  your  hand  to  it  frequently,  and  learn  to 
think  it  no  dishonor  to  engage  in  any  thing  ap- 
pertaining to  the  economy  of  a  family,  you  can 
never  expect  to  become  an  accomplished  house- 
keeper." Parents  should  be  peculiarly  attentive 
to  this  subject.     The  mother  very  much  mistakes 


DOMESTIC    DUTIES.  319 

the  interest  of  her  daughters — yea,  she  sins  against 
that  interest,  and  violates  the  maternal  obliga- 
tions— in  allowing  them  to  remain  in  ignorance 
of  domestic  duties.  She  should  see  that  they  are 
well  skilled  and  perfected  in  these  matters—for 
until  they  are  so,  they  are  unprepared  for  the 
matrimonial  state.  She  should  cause  her  daugh- 
ters to  become  acquainted  with  the  kitchen  and 
its  affairs.  The  kitchen  can  be  made  as  respec- 
table as  the  parlor,  and  much  more  useful.  The 
hum  of  domestic  industry,  is  a  music  as  proper 
to  he  made  by  young  ladies,  as  that  from  the 
piano — and  it  is  far  more  valuable  and  health- 
ful. I  can  not  conceive  why  it  is  not  as  proper, 
as  respectable,  as  genteel,  for  the  daughter  to 
engage  habitually  and  industriously  in  the  do- 
mestic affairs  of  the  household,  as  for  the  son  to 
enter  the  mechanic's  shop,  or  tend  behind  the 
counter,  or  engage  in  the  study  of  law,  medicine, 
or  divinity.  Each  are  but  preparing  themselves 
for  the  discharge  of  those  duties  which,  in  after 
life,  will  devolve  upon  them.  And  the  pa- 
rents who  neglect  to  qualify  their  daughters  for 
those  affairs  in  which  they  must  hereafter  en- 
gage or  superintend,  are  as  deficient  in  duty 
as  those  who  fail  to  give  their  sons  useful  occu- 
pations. 

Let  it,  then,  be  your  aim,  young  ladies,  to  be- 
come proficient  and  expert,  by  practice,  in  all  the 
domestic  duties  of  a  household.  You  will  thus 
profitably   employ  your  minds,  minister  to  the 


320  DOMESTIC    DUTIES. 

health  of  your  bodies,  and  become  compelent  of 
making  yourselves  useful,  as  well  as  agreeable, 
to  those  with  whom  you  may  hereafter  be  coa- 
nected. 


CHAPTER    VII 


It  would  appear  from  the  admonitions  of  the 
Apostles  Paul  and  Peter,*  that  the  ladies,  in 
their  day,  were  in  the  habit  of  arraying  and  orna- 
menting their  persons,  in  a  manner  which  these 
teachers  deemed  rather  indecorous.  As  the  pre- 
cautions of  the  apostles,  upon  this  subject,  were 
not  extended  to  men,  it  is  supposed  that  females 
in  ancient  times,  were  more  given  to  excess  in 
dress,  than  the  other  sex.  And  it  is  sometimes 
thought  that  these  distinctive  characteristics  of 
the  sexes,  continue  to  the  present  day.  Without 
pretending  to  decide  upon  this  point,  I  must  be 
permitted  to  say,  that  the  time,  attention,  and  ex- 
pense, bestowed  on  dress,  by  many  females, 
give  no  inconsiderable  strength  to  the  above 
supposition.  But  allowing  it  to  be  true,  that  fe- 
males are  more  inclined  to  excess  in  dress  than 
men,  the  cause  I  suppose  to  exist,  not  so  much  ia 

*  I  Tijii.  ii.  9,    1  Pet.  iii.  3,  4. 

321 


322  DRESS. 

any  greater  degree  of  inherent  vanity  or  love  of 
display,  as  in  the  disparity  in  their  condition  and 
occupations.  Men  are  engaged,  the  greater  pro- 
portion of  the  time,  in  the  business  transactions, 
the  stirring  scenes  of  public  life;  and  their  minds 
being  thus  absorbed,  are  not  so  liable  to  give 
much  importance  to  the  trivial  subject  of  dress. 
But  females,  being  debarred,  to  a  great  extent, 
by  the  usages  of  society,  from  participating  in 
those  busy  affairs  that  are  of  a  public  character, 
are  thrown  upon  the  immediate  resources  of  the 
imagination,  to  supply  this  deficiency.  And, 
moreover,  believing  their  prosperity  depends 
much  upon  their  exterior  appearance,  they  have 
been  compelled,  as  it  were,  to  allow  dress  to 
form  an  important  item  in  their  occupation  and 
their  thoughts. 

That  due  attention  should  be  given  to  dress  by 
females,  and  that,  in  this  manner,  by  a  judicious 
display  of  correct  taste,  they  can  improve  their 
appearance  and  personal  attractions,  are  indispu- 
tably true.  But  ladies  should  know,  if  they  are 
not  already  aware  of  it,  that  there  is  such  a  thing 
as  intemperance  in  dress! — that,  like  every  other 
blessing  of  Providence,  when  dress  is  indulged  in 
to  excess,  when  the  love  of  it  degenerates  into  a 
passion,  it  becomes  an  evil,  entailing  misfortune 
and  wretchedness.  Excess  is  intemperance.  And 
that  ladies  sometimes  dress  to  excess,  can  not  be 
doubted  by  those  who  are  blessed  with  sight. 

Many  evils  arise  from  an  excessive  love  of 


DRESS.  \J  323 

dress.  It  absorbs  the  mind  lo  the  neglect  of  use- 
ful avocations.  Young  ladies  would  do  well  to 
remember  that  lliey  were  not  created  solely  to 
dress  and  adorn  their  persons.  There  are  duties, 
important  responsible  duties,  which  will  devolve 
upon  them  in  the  several  stations  and  relation- 
ships they  will  be  called  to  occupy.  To  be  ena- 
bled to  discharge  them  faithfully,  it  is  necessary 
that  you  should  bestow  much  study,  reflection, 
and  forethought  upon  them.  But  how  can  this 
be  done,  when  the  attention  is  wholly  absorbed 
by  dress  ?  The  young  lady  who  is  wholly  in- 
tent on  adorning  her  person,  is  very  liable  to  neg- 
lect the  more  important  work  of  cultivating  the 
mind.  It  may  be  noticed,  as  a  general  rule,  that 
such  ladies  think  little,  and  care  less,  about  men- 
tal improvement — so  that  while  without,  all  may 
be  dazzling  and  perfect,  within  there  is  nought 
but  a  moral  and  mental  waste,  where  lurks  many 
an  insidious  foe  to  happiness. 

An  excessive  love  for  dress,  leads  to  extrava- 
gance in  other  respects-  The  lady  who  deems  it 
an  object  of  the  highest  importance  to  float  upon 
the  very  crest  of  the  ebbing  and  flowing  tide  of 
fashionable  dress,  will  imagine  it  essentially  ne- 
cessary that  an  equal  style  should  be  observed  in 
all  that  pertains  to  her.  If  she  enters  the  mar- 
riage state,  houses,  and  furniture,  and  equipage, 
must  correspond  with  dress,  and  she  plunges  in- 
to needless  expenditures,  which  often  end  in  ruin. 
How  many  who  hav«  started  in  life  with  the 


^i^  DRCfta. 

fairest  prospects,  have  speedily  been  brought  lo 
bankruptcy  and  poverty,  by  an  inordinate  love  ot 
display. 

An  intemperate  attachment  to  dress,  is  destruc- 
tive to  health,  as  it  invariably  leads  to  a  mode  of 
dress,  directly  at  war  with  the  construction  and 
wants  of  the  human  body.  It  is  a  fact  no  less  ' 
shocking  than  true,  that  thousands  of  female  ia 
the  United  States,  are  annually  hurried  to  an 
early  grave,  solely  by  those  torturous  improprie- 
ties in  dress,  which  are  dictated  by  fashion. 
Every  well  informed  physician  will  bear  witness 
to  the  correctness  of  this  declaration.  It  is  truly 
surprising  that  young  ladies,  who  possess  the  or- 
dinary powers  of  reflection  granted  to  rational 
beings,  will  deliberately  persevere,  in  face  of  the 
startling,  horrid  array  of  facts  before  them,  and 
contrary  to  the  admonitions  of  the  enlightened, 
the  wise,  and  the  prudent,  in  dressing  in  such  a 
manner  as  to  undermine  the  most  vigorous  con- 
stitutions, induce  painful  diseases,  and  hasten 
premature  death  !  There  is  an  infatuation  in  re- 
gard to  this  evil,  that  is  wholly  unaccountable.* 
if  young  ladies  will  not  listen  lo  the  advice  of 
friends,  or  the  warning  of  physicians,  I  beg  them 
to  open  an  ear  to  that  sepulchral  voice  which 
comes  up  from  myriads  of  "  the  early  dead,"  who 
have  been  consigned  to  the  cold  grave,  by  their 
miserable  slavery    to  the  cruelties  of  fashion  I 

*  The  reader  can  not  mistake  the  evil  to  which  I  refer, 
viz.,  tight  lacing. 


DRESS.  325 

The  weekly  bills  of  mortality  throughout  our 
country,  display  a  record  of  the  dissolution  of 
multitudes  of  young  and  lovely  beings,  from  dis- 
eases induced  by  improper  dress,  that  shoulJ, 
strike  terror  to  those  whose  practice  is  bringing 
them  to  the  same  fate.  It  is  melancholy  to  re- 
flect how  many  who  peruse  these  lines,  will  con- 
tinue, for  the  sake  of  dressing  themselves  in  con- 
formity to  the  arbitrary  laws  of  fashion,  to  brave 
the  frightful  catalogue  of  diseases,  until  death 
stares  them  in  the  face,  and  opens  his  icy  arms  to 
receive  them  in  his  embrace !  Allow  me  to  ask 
the  young  lady  whose  eye  is  now  resting  here — 
are  you  one  of  this  number?  I  trust  not.  It 
would  be  too  much  like  arraying  yourself  in  bri- 
dal robes  to  go  down  to  the  company  of  the  dead ! 
If  you  must  injure  your  health — if  you  must  bring 
on  death  in  the  prime  of  life,  I  pray  you  do  it  in 
some  good,  cause — in  the  cause  of  love,  humanity, 
and  duty — in  a  cause  upon  which  you  can  look 
back  with  satisfaction,  even  in  the  struggles  of 
death.  Be  entreated  not  to  court  the  embraces 
of  the  "  king  of  terrors,"  by  a  course  so  nearly- 
suicidal  as  that  which  I  am  condemning  !  Do  I 
magnify  the  danger  ?  Ask  your  physician — ask 
the  learned  physiologist — ask  the  dying — ask  the 
dead ! 

Not  the  least  surprising  thing  in  relation  to 

this  evil,  is,  that  so  many  parents  should  look 

calmly  on  and  behold  their  daughters  committing^ 

this    self-murder,   without  taking  any   decisive 

28 


326  DR£S9. 

measures  to  prevent  it — yea,  peihaps  approving 
of  it.  Mothers  often  exhibit  an  ignorance,  a  care- 
lessness, a  fatuity,  in  this  respect,  that  excites 
the  astonishment  and  sorrow  of  the  reflecting. 
They  have  a  duty  to  discharge,  regarding  the 
dress  of  their  daughter?,  which  they  can  not  neg- 
lect without  incurring  deep  guilt.  How  nnaay^ 
mothers,  when  it  is  too  late,  when  insidious  dis- 
ease is  laying  its  palsying  hand  upon  the  life- 
springs  of  beloved  daughters,  would  sacrifice  the 
wealth  of  the  Indies,  could  they  but  recall  them 
to  the  days  of  childhood,  and  restore  that  health 
which  has  been  destroyed  by  their  infatuated 
blindness! 

An  inordinate  love  of  dress  involves  its  vic- 
tims in  a  servile  bondage  to  the  caprice  of  others. 
For  whom  do  they  dress? — for  whom  do  they 
expend  time  and  money,  and  invite  the  approach 
of  poverty  and  disease?  Not  for  themselves, 
surely — for  when  they  are  in  retirement,  all  finery 
is  laid  aside.*  No — they  dress  for  others  alone — 
for  the  public  gaze — for  the  eyes  of  the  multitude. 
They  appear  to  feel  bound  by  the  most  imperious 
necessity,  to  sacrifice  ease  and  comfort,  and  exert 


♦  It  would  be  well  for  young  men  to  know,  that  not  a 
few  of  those  ladies  who  run  to  the  greatest  excess  in  their 
dress  for  public  show,  are  the  most  slatternly  and  careless 
when  in  seclusion.  To  test  the  correctness  of  this  re- 
mark, call  upon  them  in  some  hour  when  they  do  not 
expect  company,  and  a  moment's  contemplation  will 
show,  that  display,  and  not  neatness,  is  their  ruling  pas- 
■ion. 


DRESS.  327 

all  their  art  to  attract  the  attention  of  the  throng. 
And  in  the  fulfilment  of  this  supposed  obligation, 
they  will  exhibit  an  assiduity,  a  perseverance, 
which  is  unfortunately  wanting  in  the  discharge 
of  all  the  worthy  and  useful  duties  of  life  !  Is  not 
this  a  slate  of  dishonorable  slavery  to  the  whims 
of  the  thoughtless  1  There  is  an  anecdote  so  ap- 
propriate to  this  point,  that  I  can  not  forbear  rela- 
ting it.  "  A  priest  of  China  sedulously  followed 
a  splendidly  dressed  mandarin  through  the  streets, 
bowing  and  thanking  him  for  his  kindness.  En- 
raged at  his  pertinacity,  the  mandarin  demanded 
what  he  meant*  '  To  thank  you  for  the  use  of 
your  rich  dress  and  jewels,'  was  the  calm  reply. 
*  Why,'  said  the  astonished  mandarin,  '  1  never 
loaned  them  to  you.'  '  No,'  said  the  priest,  '  but 
you  have  allowed  me  to  look  at  them,  which  is 
all  the  enjoyment  you  can  derive  from  them,  ex- 
cept, perhaps,  the  pleasure  of  taking  care  of  them, 
and  that  is  a  pleasure  I  do  not  covet.'" 

"  But  should  we  not  follow  the  fashions  of  the 
day,"  exclaims  the  fair  reader.  Most  certainly, 
so  far  as  those  fashions  comport  with  good  taste, 
modesty,  economy,  and  health.  But  when  they 
violate  either  of  these  requisites  to  female  attrac- 
tions and  usefulness,  they  should  be  rejected  as 
decidedly  as  other  practices  of  an  immoral  and 
unhealthful  character !  What  is  fashion  in  dress, 
and  whence  does  it  emanate  ?  It  is  the  vitiated 
taste  of  a  few  of  the  unprincipled  dress-makers 
in  France,  who  give  it  all  its  fluctuations  and  ex- 


travagance,  solely  to  fill  their  coffers.  Are  Amer- 
ican ladies  generally  aware,  that  in  this  respect 
they  have,  to  a  great  extent,  become  the  dupes  of 
Parisian  dress-makers  and  milliners?  The  prints 
and  patterns  which  they  despatch  to  this  country, 
are  not  copied  from  the  dress  of  ladies  of  high 
standing  and  good  taste.  They  are  devised  by 
French  mantua-n\akers,  and  sent  to  America  for 
the  purpose  of  keeping  open  here  a  market  for 
their  second-hand  laces  and  cast-off  tawdry. — 
These  assertions  are  perfectly  well  founded. 
Mrs.  Willard,  a  celebrated  American  lady,  who 
travelled  a  few  years  since  in  France,  describing 
in  her  Foreign  Journal,  a  well  dressed  French 
woman,  who  was  ridiculing  the  "prints"  prepared 
to  be  sent  to  this  country,  exclaims,  "  A  thought 
struck  me  at  that  moment,  which  made  me  half 
weep.  These  figures,  said  I  to  myself,  thus  ridi- 
culed by  those  who  understand  dress  in  perfec- 
tion— by  which  the  very  milliners  of  Paris,  who 
send  them  abroad,  would  not,  for  the  sake  of  good 
taste,  (modesty  out  of  the  question,)  dress  them- 
selves— these  are  the  very  patterns  by  v/hich  ray 
young  and  lovely  countrywomen  are  making 
themselves  up — the  idols  to  which  they  some- 
times sacrifice  decency  and  propriety !"  It  is 
earnestly  hoped  that  this  deeply  humiliating 
statement  will  have  an  influence  to  dampen  the 
ardor  of  many  of  our  ladies,  in  servilely  imitating 
those  foreign  prints,  with  which  our  fashionable 
emnoriums  abound. 


0RE9S.  329 

Could  those  youug  ladies  who  imitate  every 
extravagance  in  fashion,  but  be  aware  how  ridic- 
ulous and  repulsive  they  frequently  make  them- 
selves appear  to  the  eyes  of  those  persons  whose 
regard  they  would  win,  how  differently  would 
they  conduct. 

"O  wad  some  power  the  giftie  gie  us, 
To  see  oursels  as  others  see  us, 
It  wad  frae  monie  a  blunder  free  u-s, 
And  foolish  notion." 

The  most  abandoned  of  the  female  sex,  can  and 
do  flaunt  in  attire  as  gay  and  fashionable,  as  the 
respectable.  Hence,  young  ladies  can  not  be  too 
often  reminded,  that  dress  is  a  worthless  founda- 
tion upon  which  to  base  their  claims  to  the  re- 
spect and  affection  of  gentlemen.  Who,  in  these 
days,  ever  thinks  of  judging  of  the  character  of  a 
lady  by  the  fashion  of  her  habiliment  ?  It  would 
be  as  uncertain  a  criterion  as  the  color  of  her  eye, 
or  the  height  of  her  stature.  By  this  criterion,  the 
virtuous  and  the  vicious  can  not  be  distinguished; 
and  if  there  Avas  no  other  badge  of  excellence,  all 
would  be  upon  the  same  level !  Discreet  and 
sensible  young  men  never  fall  in  love  with  dress 
— it  has  little  or  no  influence  in  guiding  their 
affections.^  They  do  not  look  to  the  outward  at- 
tire— which  alike  covers  the  good  and  the  evil — 
to  discover  the  excellences  of  a  lady,  but  to  the 
intrinsic  moral  and  intellectual  worth  of  the 
wearer.  A  well  cultivated  mind,  a  sweet,  gentle 
disposition,  with  a  plain,  simple  garb,  possess  far 
28-^ 


390  DUKSS. 

more  powerful  altraclions,  ilial  an  ignorant  mind 
and  a  perverse  disposition,  arrayed  in  all  the 
finery  that  ever  was  invented  by  that  most  fertile 
in  expedients  of  all  human  soils,  the  imagination 
of  a  dress-maker.  Never,  llierefore,  dress  with 
the  expectation  of  being  esteemed  by  community, 
or  loved  by  any,  or  account  of  the  texture,  shape, 
color,  or  expense  of  your  attire.  All  anticipations 
of  this  character,  can  be  entertained  but  to  end  in 
disappointment  and  chagrin. 

I  would,  by  no  means,  influence  young  ladies 
to  be  negligent  or  indifferent  in  regard  to  dress. 
I  would  have  them  bestow  upon  it  all  the  atten- 
tion it  properly  deserves.  It  is  the  excess,  the 
intemperance  in  dress,  and  a  servile  bondage  to 
the  caprices  of  fashion,  against  which  I  would 
caution  you.  And  I  again  warn  you  that  you  can 
not  be  too  particular  in  so  dressing  as  not  to  in- 
jure health.  You  should  remember  that  you 
have  lungs,  and  that  to  insure  health,  the  chest 
must  be  permitted  to  expand  without  opposition, 
that  the  lungs  may  have  free  and  full  play.  If 
you  dress  in  such  manner  as  to  prevent  the  ex- 
pansion of  the  chest  and  the  full  inflation  of  the 
lungs,  unavoidable  disease  ensues,  and  early  death 
follows.  Mothers  should  understand  these  facts, 
and  should  bear  them  in  mind  when  superintend- 
ing the  attire  of  their  daughters. 

Let  your  dress  always  comport  with  neatness, 
propriety,  and  economy.  Never  swerve  from  the 
dictates  of  these  standards.    Neatness  will  pre- 


UKKSS.  331 

vent  you  from  arraying  yourself  in  gewgaws  and 
tinsel,  and  running  after  all  the  absurdities  of 
fashion,  and  will  dictate  an  adaptation  of  dress  to 
your  form,  complexion,  age,  and  circumstances. 
It  will  allow  of  no  extremes,  either  in  extrava- 
gance or  oddity.  It  will  leach  those  who  are 
fair,  that  "  beauty  unadorned,  is  adorned  the 
most,"  and  those  v/ho  are  plain,  that  simplicity 
Avill  add  far  more  to  their  attractions,  than  gaudy 
trappings.  Dr.  Johnson  once  remarked,  that  a 
certain  lady  was  dressed  the  best  of  any  he  had 
ever  seen  j  for  but  a  moment  after  having  con- 
versed with  her,  he  could  not  recollect  what  she 
had  on.  That  is  she  had  nothing  odd,  vain,  or 
unbecoming  in  her  attire.  Propriety  will  forbid 
dressing  in  any  manner  that  will  violate  that 
modesty  which  is  the  charm  of  your  sex,  or  fol- 
lowing any  fashion  that  will  undermine  your 
constitution,  or  in  the  least  degree  injure  your 
health.  Economy  will  dictate  the  necessity  of 
always  dressing  within  your  means;  and  it  will 
also  show  you  the  impropriety  and  deep  folly  of 
involving  yourself,  or  any  with  whom  you  are 
connected,  in  debt,  to  array  your  body  in  useless 
and  silly  finery  1 


CHAPTER    Vin. 

RECREATIONS. 

Many  of  the  remarks  addressed  to  young  men, 
in  regard  to  amusements,  will  also  apply  to 
ladies — especially  in  respect  to  the  excess  into 
which  human  nature  is  liable  to  run.  We  love 
whatever  is  pleasing.  This  love  induces  a  con- 
tinuance in  those  recreations  which  afford  pleas- 
ure ;  and  unless  reason  is  allowed  to  exercise 
due  control,  those  practices  will  be  persevered  in, 
until  they  become  sources  of  pain  instead  of  hap- 
piness. It  is  highly  important  that  young  ladies 
should  possess  true  views  of  the  nature  and  de- 
sign of  the  recreations  proper  for  them ;  as  an 
ignorance  or  want  of  precaution  on  this  point, 
has  been  a  fruitful  source  of  degradation  and  ruin 
to  countless  multitudes  of  their  sex. 

What  is  recreation  ?  It  is  not  slumber,  or  stu- 
por, or  idleness  ;  but  it  is  simply  a  change  oj 
employment  !  Recreation  to  the  student,  is  to  go 
out  to  exercise  in  the  open  air.  But  to  the  man 
whose  body  calls  for  much  bodily  exercise,  it  is 

332 


RECREATIONS.  333 

a  recreation  to  enter  the  student's  library  and 
peruse  his  books.  The  young  lady  who  engages 
constantly  in  needle-work,  or  any  sedentary  em- 
ployment, to  find  recreation,  must  enter  upon 
some  active  occupation ;  but  she  who  is  habit- 
ually employed  in  the  stirring  duties  of  domes- 
tic life,  will  find  equal  amusement  in  occasional- 
ly plying  the  industrious  needle.  The  design  of 
recreation  is,  by  a  change  of  posture  and  employ- 
ment, to  call  into  exercise  portions  of  the  body, 
and  faculties  of  the  mind,  that  were  in  repose, 
and  to  give  rest  to  those  that  were  active — health 
and  vigor  are  the  fruits  of  this  change.  When 
the  brain  of  the  scholar  becomes  weary,  he  should 
relinquish  his  mental  struggle,  and  call  into  action 
the  muscular  powers  of  his  body.  But  when  the 
body  of  the  laborer  is  exhausted  with  toil,  he 
should  rest  from  his  toil,  and  call  his  mental  fac- 
ulties into  labor,  by  reading  or  instructive  conver- 
sation. Both  will  experience  enjoyment,  and  be 
benefited  by  the  change.  But  mark  and  remem- 
ber, it  is  the  change  only  that  causes  the  enjoy- 
ment. When  recreation  of  any  character,  is  con- 
inued  beyond  a  certain  degree  or  duration,  plain- 
y  indicated  by  reason,  its  nature  changes,  and  it 
becomes  a  labor,  instead  of  an  amusement.  This 
IS  a  plain  hint  from  nature,  that  all  recreations  in 
order  to  be  valuable  and  beneficial,  must  be  en- 
gaged in  moderately  and  temperately.  And  I 
will  here  repeat,  that  to  enjoy  any  amusement, 
young  people  must  lyrepare  themselves  for  it,  by 


334  RECREATIONS. 

previous  industry  and  deprivation,  of  a  character 
different  from  the  recreation  to  be  engaged  in. 

From  these  remarks,  it  will  be  perceived  that 
the  gratification  of  the  passions,  is  not  the  entire 
design  and  end  of  recreation.  The  healthy  state 
both  of  body  and  mind,  depends  upon  proper  re- 
laxations and  changes.  Nature  is  rigid  in  her 
exactions  in  this  respect ;  and  whoever  violates 
them,  must  suffer  that  penalty  of  pain  and  disease 
which  she  affixes.  Moderate  and  judicious  rec- 
reation, therefore,  is  not  only  proper,  but  is  a  duty 
which  must  be  discharged,  to  insure  health.  Bu^ 
still  there  is  danger,  in  a  greater  or  less  degree 
always  attending  amusements.  It  is  evident  that 
many  practices  called  recreations,  are  not  such, 
properly  speaking.  Some  of  those  practices  are 
plainly  sinful,  and  should,  consequently,  be  strict- 
ly avoided.  Others  are  wrong,  because  they  pro- 
duce more  injury  than  benefit — and  others  still, 
are  dangerous,  because  although,  perhaps,  inno- 
cent in  themselves,  their  tendency  is  to  induce 
that  excess  which  is  evil.  Permit  me  to  cite 
your  attention  to  a  few  of  the  most  dangerous  of 
those  practices  to  which  young  ladies  frequently 
resort  for  recreation.  ; 

Dancing  is  one  of  the  most  fascinating  amuse- 
ments of  youth.  It  may  be  called  nature's  rec* 
reation.  The  various  species  of  beasts  in  the 
full  tide  of  their  happiness,  gambol  over  the  plain, 
and  throw  their  bodies  into  fantastic  shapes. 
Dancing  is  a  recreation  resorted  to  by  all  nations- 


RECREATIONS.  335 

From  the  most  polished  circles  of  civilization, 
down  to  the  wigwam  of  the  savage,  it  exerts  its 
"  witching  sway."  In  ancient  days,  and  still 
among  various  nations  of  modern  ages,  dancing 
was,  and  is,  one  of  the  amusements,  in  times  of 
exultation  and  rejoicing.  The  Saviour  mentions, 
that  when  the  prodigal  son  returned,  there  was 
music  and  dancing.  National  dances  were  for- 
merly engaged  in,  when  celebrating  important 
victories.  When  the  Israelites  had  crossed  the 
Red  Sea  in  safety,  we  read  that  "  Miriam  the 
prophetess,  the  sister  of  Aaron,  took  a  timbrel  in 
her  hand  ;  and  all  the  women  went  out  after  her, 
with  timbrels  and  dances."  When  Saul  and 
David  were  returning  from  the  slaughter  of  the 
Philistines,  "  the  women  came  out  of  all  the 
cities  of  Israel,  singing  and  dancmg,  to  meet 
King  Saul,  with  tabrets,  with  joy,  and  with  in- 
struments of  music."  Dancing  was  also  a  re- 
ligious ceremony  of  rejoicing.  When  the  Ark 
of  the  Lord  was  brought  up  to  Jerusalem,  David 
danced  before  it  as  it  proceeded  "  with  sound  of 
the  cornet,  and  with  trumpets,  and  with  cymbals, 
making  a  noise  with  psalteries  and  harps."  In 
modern  times,  a  portion  of  the  Eastern  Dervish- 
es, and  a  sect  of  Friends,  called  "  Shakers," 
make  dancing  a  part  of  their  religious  exercises. 
That  dancing,  when  cultivated  as  an  exercise^ 
is  proper  and  healthful,  is  undeniable.  Such  an 
exercise  for  females  especially,  whose  habits  are 
usually  sedentary,  must  be  of  a  salutary  charac- 


336  UECREATI0N3. 

ter.  But  still,  dancing  has  become  the  source  of 
great  evil.  As  it  is  conducted  in  our  own  times, 
it  usually  causes  much  more  injury  than  benefit. 
The  intoxicating  beverage  usually  drank — the 
unhealthy  viands  partaken  of— the  improper  man- 
ner of  dressing,  which  so  confines  the  lungs,  that 
when  they  require  the  most  play,  they  have  the 
least — the  late  hours,  the  over  fatigue,  and  the 
exposure  to  cold  and  damp — all  combine  to  make 
modern  dancing  assemblies  the  prolific  sources 
of  dissipation  and  disease.  Such  convocations 
should  be  condemned  most  decidedly,  by  all  who 
are  interested  in  the  welfare  of  the  young.  I 
would  most  earnestly  caution  young  ladies  against 
attending  them,  or  giving  them  their  countenance. 
They  are  not  justified  by  Scripture,  reason,  or 
experience.  But  dancing  in  private  circles,  in 
the  presence  of  friends  and  relatives,  engaged  in 
temperately,  with  proper  precautions,  I  consider 
an  appropriate  and  healthful  recreation.  It  is  the 
abuse  of  this  exercise,  against  which  I  would 
warn  you.  The  good  sense  of  every  discreet 
young  lady,  aided  by  the  advice  of  parents  or 
guardians,  will  instruct  her  as  to  the  proper  time 
and  occasion,  when  she  should  engage  in  this 
recreation. 

Card-playing  is  often  engaged  in  by  young 
ladies.  Although  this  practice  may  not  be  so 
deleterious  as  dancing,  under  improper  circum- 
stances, still,  young  women  can  pass  their  time 
in  some  other  manner,  far  more  to  their  improve- 


hECREATIONS.  337 

mcnt,  both  in  mind  and  manners.  A  lady  at  a 
card-table,  always  seems  out  of  her  proper  place. 
There  is  something  in  its  associations  so  mascu- 
line, so  entirely  opposed  to  womanly  delicacy 
and  propriety,  that  a  female  appears  to  step  down 
from  her  appropriate  sphere,  in  engaging  in  game 
with  cards. 

Referring  you  for  further  remarks  on  this  sub- 
ject, to  my  suggestions  to  young  men,  and  also 
to  what  I  there  said  on  theatrical  amusements, 
I  merely  add,  that  those  remarks  will  apply,  with 
more  impressive  force  to  the  young  lady  ;  inas- 
much as  female  character  is  more  delicate  m 
public  estimation,  and  her  sensibility  more  re- 
fined in  fact,  than  that  of  the  gentleman.  I  there^ 
fore  reiterate  here,  with  renewed  earnestness,  all 
the  warnings  and  remonstrances  I  have  there  ut- 
tered. 

There  are  many  recreations  in  which  young 
ladies  can  engage,  that  are  both  proper  and  ben- 
eficial. All  amusements  should,  if  possible,  be 
made  inslruciive,  as  well  as  healthful.  Exercise 
in  open  air,  when  the  weather  is  favorable,  is 
highly  beneficial  to  females.  And  a  walk  through 
the  fields,  can  be  made  to  instruct  the  mind,  as 
well  as  to  invigorate  the  body.  A  slight  acquaint- 
ance with  the  principles  of  botany  and  geolos:y, 
will  enable  you  to  obtain  much  amusement  and 
instruction,  in  examining  the  class  and  nature  of 
plants  and  flowers,  and  the  structure  and  compo- 
sition of  soils,  stones,  and  rocks.  The  young 
29 


33ft  RECREAIIONS. 

ladies  of  this  country,  are  generally  very  de- 
ficient in  giving  themselves  exercise;  and  in  this 
respect  are  far  behind  those  of  some  foreiga 
countries.  "  The  English  girls,  it  is  well  known, 
will  walk  five  or  six  miles  with  ease.  They  are 
never  afraid  of  the  air.  They  do  not  reason  as 
our  girls  do,  that  to  be  pretty  and  "interesting," 
they  must  be  livid,  pale,  and  consumptive ;  and 
in  order  to  be  so,  exclude  themselves  from  the 
open  air,  from  walks  and  parks.  But  they  reason 
naturally,  that  health  is  beauty,  and  that  sickness 
is  otherwise.  English  girls,  it  is  said,  are  almost 
the  only  girls  who  climb  up  the  sides  of  the  Alps, 
or  struggle  ankle  deep,  up  the  ashes  of  Mount 
Vesuvius."  "  How  often,"  says  Miss  Wakefield. 
"  has  an  anxiety  for  the  delicacy  of  the  complex- 
ion, or  the  apprehension  of  her  being  a  romp,  re- 
strained a  girl  from  the  indulgence  of  enjoying 
with  any  one,  exercise  in  a  sufficient  degree  to 
secure  her  from  that  feeble,  sickly,  languid  state, 
which  frequently  renders  her  not  only  capricious, 
but  helpless  throughout  the  whole  of  her  life." 
"Let  the  utmost  attention  be  paid  to  the  physical 
education  of  females,  not  simply  to  their  diet, 
temperance,  and  cleanliness,  but  to  the  practice 
of  bodily  exercise.  Let  them  have  such  physi- 
cal recreation  as  shall  be  consistent  with  their 
delicacy  of  sex,  and  as  shall  serve  to  procure  for 
them  vigorous  constitutions  and  sound  minds. 
Strengthen  their  physical  powers,  and  you  may 
then  give  energy  to  their  intellects,  brilliant  tints 


RECREATIONS.  339 

of  beauty  to  their  persons,  animation  to  their 
spirits,  and  grace  to  their  manners."* 

Music  is  a  recreation  peculiarly  appropriate  to 
young  ladies.  I  would  have  every  young  woman 
cultivate  her  taste  for  music.  The  Creator  could 
have  had  no  object  in  bestowing  musical  powers 
upon  uSj  but  that  they  should  be  developed  and 
trained  to  execution.  Music  exercises  the  mind, 
and  has  a  purifying  and  softening  influence  upon 
the  disposition.  This  amusement,  however, 
should  not  be  permitted  to  interfere  with  the 
more  vigorous  recreations,  or  with  the  ordinary 
and  useful  occupations  of  life. 

Social  parties  are  proper  for  young  ladies. — 
They  bring  different  minds,  dispositions,  and 
manners  in  contact,  to  the  mutual  benefit  of  all. 
The  time  at  such  parties,  should  not  be  frittered 
away  in  frivolous  pursuits  and  idle  conversation. 
Useful  and  interesting  topics  should  be  intro- 
duced, upon  which  the  company  can  freely  and 
pleasantly  interchange  their  opinions.  To  in- 
struct each  other  in  desirable  accomplishments 
and  valuable  information,  should  be  the  general 
object. 

It  is  hardly  necessary  to  remark,  that  young 
women  can  find  at  home,  many  means  of  profita- 
ble recreation.  Numberless  little  attentions  and 
kindnesses  to  parents  and  friends — the  instruction 

*  Address  on  Female  Education,  by  Rev.  Charles  Bu? • 
roughs. 


340  RECREATION*. 

and  improvemenl  of  younger  brothers  and  sisters 
— perusing  aloud  some  valuable  publication  for 
the  edification  of  the  family  circle—all  will  afford 
the  purest  satisfaction  and  enjoyment.  In  fine, 
let  your  recreations  always  be  characterized  by 
delicacy,  discretion,  and  moderation,  and  bene- 
ficial results  of  a  corresponding  character,  will  be 
your  reward. 


CHAPTER    IX 


MENTAL    CULTIVATION, 


That  female  education  iias  heretofore  been  la- 
mentably deficient,  is  a  position  which  admits  of 
not  a  doubt.  In  past  ages  woman  has  been  kept 
in  a  state  of  almost  entire  ignorance,  in  regard  to 
the  most  important  branches  of  human  attain- 
ment, and  has  been  compelled,  in  a  measure,  to 
occupy  her  attention  with  the  trivial  matters  of 
life.  Without  pretending  to  decide  the  contro- 
verted question,  whether  the  gentler  sex  are  capa- 
ble of  rivalling  man  in  the  highest  walks  of  lit- 
erature, still,  I  do  not  hesitate  to  say,  that  they 
are  capable  of  making  far  greater  advances  in 
every  branch  of  useful  knowledge,  than  they  have 
hitherto  done  :  and  also  that  they  can  equal  the 
generality  of  men  in  mental  attainments,  when 
placed  in  circumstances  equally  favorable.  In- 
deed in  modern  days,  many  ladies  have  appeared 
as  shining  lights  in  the  literary  world.  And 
although  th'oy  have  not  so  generally  grappled  with 
the  abstruse  sciences,  yet  in  the  lighter  grades 
29*  ^     341 


342  MENTAL    CULTIVATION. 

of  literature — in  vivid  descriptions  of  tiie  gentlest, 
purest  and  noblest  characteristics  of  human  na- 
ture— in  the  bright  pictures  of  the  imagination — 
in  chaste  displays  of  taste  and  sentiment — in  re- 
proof, admonition  and  advice — ihey  have  not 
been  surpassed  by  their  male  competitors.  The 
names  of  More,  Barbauld,  Chapone,  Aikin,  Ham- 
ilton, Seward,  De  Stael,  Landon,  Porter,  Hemans, 
Edgeworth  andMartineau,  in  foreign  lands,  and 
of  Sigourney,  Leslie,  Hale.  Sedgwick,  Stephens, 
Hentz,  Gould,  Ellet,  Scott,  Dodd,  Edgarton, 
Broughton  and  Downer  in  our  own  country,  will 
bear  ample  testimony  to  the  high  and  beautiful 
capabilities  of  the  female  mind. 

Although  female  education,  within  the  last  half 
century,  has  been  greatly  improved,  still  it  has 
not  arrived  at  the  perfection  that  is  desirable. — 
The  poor  are  engaged  in  such  constant  drudgery, 
that  they  are  able  to  pay  but  little  attention  to 
mental  cultivation,  while  the  wealthy  are  fre- 
quently led  to  neglect  it,  by  attaching  an  undue 
importance  to  showy  rather  than  useful  accom- 
plishments. Young  ladies,  as  a  class,  are  still 
too  prone  to  attribute  more  consequence  to  the 
adorning  of  the  outward  person,  than  the  culti- 
vation of  the  moral  and  intellectual  powers — are 
too  liable  to  imagine  that  their  success  in  life, 
depends  more  upon  beauty  and  accomplishments 
of  person,  than  of  mind.  This  belief  many  ac- 
quire, no  doubt,  from  that  fulsome  flattery  which 
is  loo  generally  bestowed  upon  female  personal 


MENTAL   CULTlVAnON.  343 

beauty,  by  the  other  sex.  So  general  is  this  prac- 
tice, that  men  of  otherwise  good  sense,  will  fre- 
quently lend  their  aid  in  perpetuating  this  idola- 
try to  the  fleeting  charms  of  outward  beauty,  to 
the  neglect  of  those  qualities  in  woman  that  are 
truly  valuable.  This  conduct  leads  females  to 
overlook  their  mental  capabilities,  to  deem  it  of 
little  importance  to  obtain  those  qualifications  of 
mind  and  of  habit  upon  which  their  happiness 
and  the  enjoyments  of  those  connected  with 
them  will  so  deeply  depend  through  life,  and 
induces  them  to  turn  their  whole  attention  to 
those  charms  and  accomplishments,  which  are 
as  empty  and  useless  as  the  floating  bubble. 

Young  ladies  should  summon  sufficient  dis- 
crimination to  perceive  the  origin  of  this  adula- 
tion. They  should  understand  that  those  who 
indulge  in  extreme  flattery  of  their  personal  beau- 
ty, either  possess  such  ignorant  and  shallow 
minds,  as  really  to  believe  what  they  say,  that 
nothing  is  so  valuable  as  the  charms  of  form  and 
feature — or,  knowing  better,  they  hypocritically 
express  their  admiration,  under  the  supposition 
that  you  are  so  vain  and  weak  as  to  be  pleased  by 
their  empty  homage !  In  either  case,  they  im- 
pugn your  good  sense,  and  are  unworthy  your 
confidence  or  respect.  The  attentions  of  the  ig- 
norant and  of  the  hypocritical,  should  alike  be 
discarded. 

I  grant  that  personal  beauty  in  a  young  lady, 
is  an  advantage  J  and  wheii  united  with  a  sweet 


344  MCNTAI.    CULTIVAnON. 

disposition  and  well  culiivaled  mind,  you  have 
attractions  that  can  not  but  win  esteem.  But  I 
insist  that  loveliness  of  person  without  these  val- 
uable qualifications,  is  a  misfortune  rather  than  a 
blessing.  It  will  surround  you  by  the  utmost 
dangers— by  fascinations  and  allurements,  from 
which,  owing  to  the  weakness  of  your  moral  and 
mental  powers,  you  will  escape  with  difficulty,  if 
at  all.  And  suppose  that  by  beauty  of  person 
alone,  you  succeed  in  obtaining  a  companion  for 
life  :  of  what  value  can  that  man  be,  who  has 
been  attracted  by  your  features  of  form,  without 
deeming  any  other  qualification  worthy  a  thought  ? 
He  connected  himself  with  you  for  your  beauty, 
and  he  loves  your  beauty  only.  And  do  you  not 
perceive  that  when  that  beauty  decays,  as  it  inev- 
itably must,  under  the  influence  of  disease  or  age, 
his  regard  will  wither  with  it,  and  that  the  after 
years  of  your  life,  must  be  spent  amid  vain  regrets 
and  unavailing  repinings?  "We  can  not  help 
remembering  that  the  ordinary  period  of  life  is 
set  at  seventy  years.  The  empire  of  beauty  sel- 
dom lasts  more  than  ten  or  fifteen.  What  is  to 
sustain  the  beauty  who  has  no  other  possession, 
in  the  dreary  interval,  when  her  roses  have  van- 
ished with  her  admirers,  never  to  return?"  If, 
then,  you  have  been  favored  with  personal  beau 
ly,  add  to  it  virtuous  principles  and  the  charms 
of  a  well  cultivated  mind,  and  you  can  then 
duly  improve  the  advantages  placed  within  your 
reach. 


MENTAL   CULTIVATION.  345 

"It  is  an  old  remark,  that  the  most  beautiful 
women  are  not  always  the  most  fascinating.  It 
may  be  added,  I  fear,  that  they  are  seldom  so. 
The  reason  is  obvious.  They  are  apt  to  rely  too 
much  on  their  beauty;  or  give  themselves  toa 
many  airs.  Mere  beauty  ever  was,  and  ever  will 
be,  a  secondary  thing,  except  with  fools.  The 
miost  fascinating  women,  generally  speaking,  are 
those  that  possess  the  finest  powers  of  entertain- 
ing the  mind.  In  a  particular  and  attaching  sense, 
they  are  those  that  can  partake  of  the  pleasures 
and  pains  of  their  friends  in  the  liveliest  and 
most  devoted  manner.  Beauty  is  little  without 
this.     With  it,  she  is  indeed  triumphant."* 

With  the  most  plain  and  uninteresting  features^ 
you  need  not  be  without  attractions.  A  well 
trained  mind  and  a  pleasant  disposition,  will  put 
forth  charms  far  more  captivating  to  those  who 
are  capable  of  making  you  happy,  and  much  more 
enduring  than  mere  outward  beauty.  Although 
you  may  not  attract  immediate  attention  in  first 
entering  upon  the  stage  of  society,  yet  when 
your  worth  is  fully  appreciated^  as  it  eventually 
will  be,  you  will  obtain  a  hold  on  the  affections, 
that  time  can  not  annihilate.  You  will  possess 
a  loveliness  which  instead  of  being  destroyed  by 
sickness  or  time,  will  increase,  and  become  bright- 
er and  brighter  as  age  advances — securing  to  you, 
love,  affection,  peace  and  enjoyment,  all  your 

*  Critici&m  on  Female  Beauty. 


346  MENTAL    CULTIVATION, 

days.  The  man  who  is  won  by  the  attraclionu 
of  your  mind  and  disposition,  is  worthy  of  you 
in  every  respect,  and  will  be  capable  of  appreci- 
ating all  these  excellencies  of  the  heart  which 
confer  mutual  happiness.  "  Knowledge,  virtue 
and  truth,  are  immortal.  Time,  age  and  death, 
can  not  touch  them.  Trust  me,  a  plain  young 
lady  with  a  sound  head  and  a  well  trained  mind, 
and  an  amiable  and  well  managed  heart  will  find 
some  way  to  aim  a  sharper  and  surer  shaft,  and 
inflict  a  more  incurable  wound,  than  a  mere 
flourishing  belle,  who  has  nothing  to  show  but 
her  dress  and  her  person." 

Beauty  of  face  and  person,  and  splendor  of 
dress,  are  not  to  be  compared  in  value  to  a  well 
cultivated  mind.  The  one  is  as  evanescent  as  the 
morning  cloud  or  the  early  dew;  but  the  other  is 
as  enduring  as  the  sparkling  gem  of  the  mine. 
"  There  is,  and  there  can  be,  nothing  beautiful, 
except  in  so  far  as  it  is  associated  with  mind. 
Show  me  a  woman  who  knows  how  to  converse 
pleasantly,  to  give  judicious  counsel  and  exhibit 
discreet  management — who  has  the  ability  to 
know  what  to  say,  and  how  to  act  on  any  given 
emergency — who  understands  how  to  economize 
her  wit  if  she  has  it — who  comprehends  how  the 
utterance  of  scandal  distorts  the  countenance — 
whose  passions  and  affections  are  regulated,  and 
who  possesses  the  intrinsic  tenderness  and  truth 
of  the  female  character — and  I  will  show  you  one 
who  seems  beautiful  to  me    whatever  face  she 


MENTAL   CULTIVATIOil.  347 

may  happen  to  possess.  It  can  not  be  repeated 
too  often,  that  there  is  nothing  truly  beautiful 
hut  mind.  Ask  a  father  which  of  his  children  he 
loves  most,  the  pert  and  ignorant  beautiful  daugh- 
ter, or  the  plain  but  sensible,  docile  and  well  in- 
structed one?"  Ask  an  intelligent,  worthy  young 
man,  with  which  of  those  two  young  ladies  it 
gives  him  the  greatest  satisfaction  to  associate 
and  converse,  the  one  with  handsome  form  and 
complexion,  but  with  an  empty,  uncultivatecJ 
mind,  or  her  whose  personal  appearance  is  plain, 
but  who  is  well  instructed,  and  sensible?  "Ask 
husbands  what  points  they  most  regard  in  their 
wives,  their  beauty,  or  their  knowledge,  amiabili- 
ty and  good  sense?  I  repeat  again,  there  is 
nothing  beautiful  but  mind  !  If  I  were  a  poet, 
you  should  have  it  in  metre  and  in  song,  that  a 
piony  or  a  poppy  is  as  splendid  a  flower  as  the 
rose.  But  let  the  one  and  the  other  be  worn  in 
your  bosom,  and  compare  their  fragrance  and  val- 
ue at  the  end  of  a  month.  Knowledge  compared 
to  beauty,  is  the  rose  to  the  piony  and  poppy.  In 
the  family  circle,  and  among  those  with  whom 
we  mix  every  day,  the  last  thing  of  which  we 
think,  after  seeing  them  a  few  times,  is  their 
personal  beauty."  Their  worth  is  always  esti- 
mated by  their  mental  endowments  and  moral 
qualities.  The  witchcraft  of  personal  beauty  is 
soon  dispelled  by  familiarity.  Without  attrac- 
tive mental  and  moral  characteristics,  it  is  im- 
possible to  obtain  the  enduring  affections  of  any. 


348  MENTAL    CULTIVATION. 

"External allurements  are  continually  losing;  in- 
ternal altra-ctions  are  continually  gaining.  Sense, 
spirit,  sweetness,  are  immortal.  All  besides, 
withers  like  the  grass."  When  the  mind  is  un- 
cultivated and  barren,  in  vain  are  displayed  the 
brightest  eye,  the  fairest  face,  and  the  sweetest 
smile.  But  even  though  the  eye  possesses  little 
lustre,  or  the  countenance  little  beauty,  a  well 
endowed,  well  disciplined  mind,  will  elicit  admi- 
ration and  love* 

"  Mind,  mind  alone,  bear  wihress  oartli  and  heaven, 
The  living  foitntain  in  itself  contains 
Of  beauteous  and  sublime  !    Htire  hand  in  hand 
Sit  paramount  the  graces." 

These  remarks  might  be  much  extended,  but  it 
can  not  be  necessary.  I  trust  enough  has  been 
said  to  awaken  you  to  the  importance  of  studying 
to  adorn  the  mind,  and  of  imparting  to  it  those 
mental  and  moral  qualities  which  are  so  attrac- 
tive to  the  eyes  of  the  discreet  and  enlightened. 
You  should  not  allow  your  thoughts  to  dwell 
too  much  on  beauty  of  person,  outward  orna- 
ments, or  showy  accomplishments.  A  proper  at- 
tention to  these  is  allowable  ;  but  make  them  not 
your  principal  study — neither  rely  upon  them  as 
your  chief  attractions  to  win  admiration  or  affec- 
tion. Their  influence  can  attract  none  but  weak 
and  worthless  minds.  "  Female  loveliness  can 
not  be  clothed  in  a  more  pleasing  garb  than  that 
of  knowledge.  A  female  thus  arrayed,  is  one  of 
the  most  interesting-objects— every  eye  rests  upon 


MENTAL    CULTIVATION.  349 

her  with  pleasure— the  learned  and  wise,  the 
young  and  the  aged  of  the  opposite  sex,  delight 
in  her  society,  and  affix  to  her  respect  and  admi- 
ration. Ignorance  and  folly  stand  reproved  in 
her  presence  ;  and  vice,  in  its  bold  career,  shrinks 
abashed  at  her  gaze.  She  moves  the  joy,  the 
deliglit  of  the  domestic  circle ;  she  excites  the 
praises,  the  admiration  of  the  world.  A  female 
thus  armed,  thus  equipped,  is  prepared  to  encoun- 
ter every  trial  which  this  uncertain  state  may 
bring — to  rise  v/ith  proper  elevation  to  the  pinna- 
cle of  fortune,  or  sink  with  becoming  fortitude, 
into  the  abyss  of  poverty — to  attain  with  cheerful 
serenity,  the  highest  bliss,  or  endure  with  patient 
firmness,  the  depths  of  wo."  Young  ladies 
should  cultivate  a  taste  for  the  acquisition  of 
useful  knowledge — always  selecting  such  sub- 
jects as  will  throw  the  most  light  upon  the  sta- 
tion you  will  probably  occupy,  and  the  duties  you 
will  be  called  upon  to  discharge.  In  this  manner 
you  will  lay  a  broad  foundation,  upon  which  you 
can  reasonably  rest  the  hope  of  experiencing 
"nuch  enjoyment  through  life. 
30 


CHAPTER    X 


THE    DISPOSITION. 


1i:>iTUATED  as  we  are,  in  tlie  midst  of  our  fel- 
low-beings, constantly  mingling  and  holding  in- 
tercourse with  them,  we  are  made  dependent  up- 
on them,  to  no  small  extent,  for  the  enjoyments 
of  existence.  But  human  nature,  as  developed 
in  this  life,  is  a  strange  medley  of  contradictions. 
Those  faculties  and  propensities  which  the  be- 
nevolent Author  of  our  being  conferred  upon  us 
for  our  benefit,  frequently,  from  a  neglect  on  our 
part  of  properly  cultivating  and  controlling  them, 
become  the  sources  of  unhappiness.  Thus  the 
social  propensity— the  desire  to  mingle  with  our 
race,  which  all  human  kind  possess  to  a  high  de- 
gxee — becomes  the  source  of  enjoyment  or  of 
wretchedness,  as  Ave  duly  understand  and  proper- 
ly cultivate  its  incentives,  or  neglect  it,  and  allow 
it  to  be  controlled  solely  by  the  unrestrained  pas- 
sions. This  social  principle  is  possessed,  in  a 
peculiar  manner,  by  females.  They  are,  there- 
fore, deeply-interested  in  its  operations  and  influ- 

350 


THE    DISPOSITION.  351 

ences  ;  and  it  becomes  a  subject  of  no  small  im- 
portance to  them,  to  know  in  what  manner  its 
highest  enjoyments  can  be  obtained. 

In  your  intercourse  with  your  fellow-beings, 
the  pleasure  to  be  derived  depends  entirely  upon 
the  disposition  which  you  cherish  towards  them. 
If  you  respect,  esteem,  and  love  them,  your  satis- 
faction in  their  society  will  be  of  a  high  degree. 
But  if  you  envy,  hate,  or  in  any  way  dislike  them, 
their  presence  becomes  the  source  of  unhappi- 
ness  ;  and  even  the  thought  of  them,  whenever  it 
occurs,  gives  you  disagreeable  sensations.  It  is 
thus  evident,  that  certain  dispositions  or  feelings 
cherished  towards  others,  are,  in  their  influences, 
disagreeable  and  painful,  while  others  of  a  differ- 
ent character,  impart  satisfaction  and  enjoyment. 
It  is  my  object  in  this  chapter,  to  notice  briefly  a 
few  of  the  most  p'-ominent  of  these  dispositions, 
of  both  classes. 

Envy  is  a  disposition  that  frequently  usurps  a 
place  in  the  mind.  Its  influences  are  of  a  degra- 
ding and  painful  character.  Envy  never  impart- 
ed a  pleasurable  emotion  to  the  human  bosom, 
and  never  can — it  is  as  contrary  to  its  nature,  as 
for  ice  to  give  out  heat.  It  is  not  only  a  sinful 
disposition,  but  one  of  the  most  foolish  that  the 
young  can  well  entertain.  Will  envying  the  ap- 
pearance, condhion,  or  possessions  of  any  indi- 
vidual, give  you  the  desired  object  ? — will  it  con- 
fer upon  you  wealth,  or  influence,  or  splendid 
dresses,  or  any  qualification,  either  moral,  men- 


352  THE    DISPOSITION. 

lal,  or  bodily  ?  Will  it  effect  any  change  for  ihe 
better  iu  your  circumstances,  even  the  ruost  tri- 
fling ?  Why  then  permit  tliis  painful  and  malig- 
nant disposition  to  enter  your  bosom?  Why 
make  your  iieart  the  den  of  a  scorpion,  whose 
every  sting  is  inflicted  upon  your  own  happiness? 
Why  voluntarily  permit  an  enemy  to  enter  your 
mind,  and  drive  out  those  true  friends,  peace  and 
contentment  ? 

Do  you  inquire  how  to  deter  this  feeling  from 
taking  possession  of  your  heart,  or  how  to  cast  it 
out  when  once  therein?  I  answer,  h^  reflection. 
Reflection  is  a  light  that  will  reveal  the  true 
nature  of  this  hydra,  and  convince  you  of  the  in- 
consistency of  cherishing  it.  Reflection  will  sat- 
tisfy  you  that  there  is  not  so  much  to  be  envied 
in  the  world,  as  many  Avould  seem  to  believe. 
To  ascertain  the  real  influences  upon  their  pos- 
sessors, of  those  circumstances  or  possessions 
that  are  the  most  common  causes  of  envy,  we 
must  apply  to  those  who  have  experienced  them. 
Ask  those  who  have  participated  in  all  the  en- 
joyments that  power,  wealth,  and  splendor  can 
bestow,  if  they  should  be  envied  by  those  in  more 
ordinary  circumstances.  Abdoulrahman  III., 
was  one  of  the  most  powerful  and  prosperous  of 
the  Spanish  kings  of  the  Arabian  race.  Victo- 
rious and  wealthy — surrounded  by  splendor  and 
magnificence — every  one  imagined  that  he  must 
be  the  happiest  of  mortals.  But  listen  to  his  own 
account  of  his  enjoyments,  after  reigning  fifty 


TIIF    DISPOSITION.  353 

years:  "From  the  lime  I  ascended  ihe  tlirone,  I 
marked  every  day  that  afforded  me  true  pleasure, 
and  those  days  amounted  to  fourteen !"  To 
which  he  adds — "  Mortals !  consider  what  this 
world  is,  and  how  little  we  ought  to  rely  upon 
its  pleasures."  Pope  Adrian  VL,  who  arose  from 
a  poor  barge-builder,  to  the  Papal  throne,  desired 
the  following  inscription  to  be  placed  upon  his 
tomb  : — "  Here  lies  Adrian  VL,  who  deemed  no 
misfortune  which  happened  to  him  in  life,  so 
great,  as  his  being  called  to  govern."  From 
these  and  many  additional  instances  that  might 
be  cited,  you  perceive  how  entirely  inadequate  is 
power,  or  popularity,  or  wealth,  or  splendor,  to 
confer  happiness.  Why,  then,  should  you  envy 
those  who  possess  them?  Remember  that  gay 
dresses  and  splendid  equipages  are  but  glittering 
coverings  which  conceal,  in  general,  even  more 
wretchedness  than  tattered  garments.  Be  con- 
tent, then,  v/ith  your  condition.  An  honest,  vir- 
tuous, and  benevolent  heart  will  confer  upon 
you  a  greater  amount  of  pure  happiness,  than  all 
the  wealth  of  the  world  !  If  your  associates  pos- 
sess enlightened  minds  and  agreeable  manners — 
if  they  are  respected  and  loved  by  community — 
envy  them  not,  but  do  that  which  is  much  bet- 
ter :  endeavor  to  equal  them  in  their  good  quali- 
fications, and  you  will  soon  share  with  them  in 
the  general  respect. 

JealGusij    is   another  disposition   which    you 
should  be  careful  to  avoid.     Jealousy  is  justly 
30+ 


354  THE    DISPOSITION. 

termed  "the  green-eyed  monster."  It  is  a  bitter 
foe  to  human  happiness — it  coils  in  the  bosum 
like  the  serpent,  and  chokes  the  fountain  of  true 
enjoyment.  If  you  would  be  blessed  with  peace, 
never  permit  jealousy  to  enter  your  mind.  It 
will  not  only  make  you  unhappy,  but  will  cause 
you  to  do  and  say  many  things  improper  and 
ridiculous.  Never  be  jealous  that  others  are  re- 
ceiving more  attention  and  respect  than  yourself. 
If  ihey  are  deserving  of  it,  you  should  be  willing 
that  they  should  receive  what  they  are  justly  en- 
titled to ;  but  if  tliey  are  not  worthy  such  atten- 
tions, you  may  be  assured  they  can  not  long  com- 
mand them.  And  in  the  meantime,  study  to 
make  yourself  agreeable,  by  an  exhibition  of  the 
genuine  excellences  of  the  female  mind  and  dis- 
position, and  you  will  have  no  cause  of  jealousy 
towards  others.  If  your  affections  are  placed 
upon  an  individual  worthy  of  them,  he  will  be 
careful  to  give  you  no  cause  for  jealousy.  But 
if  his  conduct  is  of  that  improper  character  as  to 
afford  reasonable  cause  for  jealousy,  it  is  a  cer- 
tain indication  that  he  is  not  worthy  your  confi- 
dence or  love,  and  you  can  not  too  soon  break  off 
all  intercourse  with  him.  There  is,  hence,  no 
justification  for  harboring  emotions  of  jealousy. 
They  are  painful,  unbecoming,  derogatory  to 
your  chRracter,  and  should  be  spurned  from  every 
female  heart. 

Young  ladies  should  also  avoid  indulging  ha- 
tred, anger,  revenge,  and  all  emotions  of  a  like 


THE    DISPOSITION.  355 

character.  These  are  the  baser  passions  of  the 
human  heart — exceedingly  reprehensible  in  man, 
but  in  woman  disgusting  and  horrible.  What 
will  more  entirely  eclipse  the  loveliness  of  the 
countenance,  than  a  scowl  of  hatred,  or  a  storm 
of  anger  !  And  not  only  so,  but  how  completely 
wretched  do  they  cause  those  to  become  who  in- 
dulge them  !  Every  improper  disposition  cher- 
ished towards  another,  infuses  a  poison  into  your 
peace  and  happiness — so  that  by  indulging  it,  you 
but  injure  yourself. 

The  most  effectual  method  of  destroying  evil 
dispositions,  is  by  cultivating  good  ones.  Would 
you  be  respected,  and  esteemed,  and  loved? — 
would  you  render  yourself  agreeable  and  pleas- 
ing?— would  you  be  received  into  the  circle  of 
your  associates,  with  the  approving  smile  of 
friendship  and  approbation?  There  is  but  one 
way  to  accomplish  this,  and  that  is,  by  adding  to 
a  virtuous  character,  a  kind,  friendly,  and  benev- 
olent disposition.  How  much  these  improve  the 
attractions  of  a  beautiful  form  and  features  !  and 
how  engaging  do  they  cause  the  most  plain  and 
ordinary  to  appear,  who  exhibit  them  in  their 
conduct !  If  you  desire  to  be  unesteemed,  dis- 
liked, avoided — if  you  desire  to  be  filled  with 
anxiety  and  wretchedness — then  you  should  be 
illtempered,  morose,  unkind,  and  uncharitable. 
But  if  you  would  secure  the  friendship  and  good 
will  of  others — if  you  would  open  in  your  own 
bosom  a  fountain  of  unfailing'  satisfaction  —  ex- 


"356  TUL  uiyi'o.irnoN. 

hibit  towards  those  with  whom  you  associate, 
kindness,  condescension,  gentleness,  forbearance, 
and  evenness  of  temper,  and  you  can  not  fail  of 
accomplishing  your  object.  Wiiat  can  be  more 
captivating  in  a  young  lady,  than  a  constant  ex- 
hibition of  kind  emotions  towards  all  around  her 
—than  a  disposition  to  oblige,  to  make  herself 
useful  to  her  friends  and  all  connected  with  her, 
and  to  display  a  placid  sweetness  of  demeanor, 
that  no  circumstance  can  ruffle  or  disturb  ?  And 
howenchantingly  lovely  is  a  young  woman  over- 
tlowing  with  pity  and  benevolence  for  the  poor 
and  unfortunate  !  A  lady  who  has  a  cold,  un- 
feeling heart — who  can  look  unmoved  upon  sor- 
row, and  want,  and  distress,  while  she  is  sur- 
rounded by  comfort  and  plenty — is  an  anomaly  ! 
With  sucii  a  disposition,  of  what  avail  are  her 
fair  complexion,  and  faultless  features,  and  sym- 
metrical form?  Every  lovely  attribute,  when 
covering  a  heart  of  slone,  becomes  repulsive  and 
abhorrent  to  the  generous  and  noble  mind.  She 
is  a  "  scentless  flower,  which  shall  blossom  with- 
out esteem,  and  fall  without  regret !"  But  the 
female  whose  heart  is  susceptible  of  emotions  o 
pity  and  generosity — who  is  eager  to  assuage 
misfortunes  and  relieve  distress — adds  a  crown- 
ing excellency  to  her  attractions,  that  can  not 
fail  to  win  admiration  and  esteem.  If  young 
ladies  would  promote  their  own  prosperity  and 
happiness,  they  must  look  well  to  the  dispositions 
they  cherish.     Let  them  eradicate  all  that  is  evil. 


THE    DISl'OSITlON.  357 

and  cultivate  whatever  is  virtuous  and  good — let 
them  exhibit  "affability  of  manners,  gentleness 
of  demeanor,  attention  to  the  courtesies  of  life, 
compassion  towards  all  who  suffer,  whether  high 
or  low,  a  kind  construction  of  all  the  words  and 
actions  of  their  fellow-creatures,  and  patient  for- 
bearance, or  generous  forgiveness  towards  those 
who  have  grieved  or  injured  them,"  and  they 
will  thus  lay  a  safe  and  sure  foundation  for  peace 
and  happiness. 


CHAPTER    XI. 


CONVERSATION. 


It  is  a  prevalent  supposition  that  ladies  possess 
the  faculty  of  "  ready  utterance,  in  a  higher  de- 
gree, as  a  general  rule,  than  the  other  sex.  This 
position  is  strengthened,  when  we  consider  the 
fluency  and  ease  with  Avhich  females,  when  un- 
embarrassed, communicate  their  thoughts.  But 
this  fluency  of  speech,  when  unguarded  and  un- 
restrained, becomes,  not  unfrequently,  the  fruit- 
ful source  of  evil.  The  character  and  prospects 
of  ladies,  depend  much  upon  the  matter  and 
the  manner  of  their  conversation.  To  be  enabled 
to  select  proper  and  useful  subjects  for  conversa- 
tion, and  to  express  themselves  in  an  appropriate 
and  pleasant  manner,  are  accomplishments  which 
every  young  female  should  strive  to  acquire,  and 
the  possession  of  which,  will  tend  greatly  to  her 
advantage  in  society. 

It  is  true,  nature  is  diversified  in  her  gifts  in  this 
respect,  as  well  as  in  others.  To  some  she  gives 
a  G^reater  aptitude  or  capabilitv  of  expressina:  their 


CONVERSATION.  359 

ideas  in  a  fluent  and  graceful  manner — while 
others  find  it  difficult  to  speak  in  a  mode  satisfac- 
tory to  themselves,  or  pleasing  to  others.  But 
as  appropriateness  in  conversation,  depends  not 
more  upon  the  manner  of  speaking,  than  upon 
the  character  of  the  thoughts  expressed,  naturt 
frequently  equalizes  her  endowments,  by  giving 
unto  those  who  are  "  slow  and  lame  of  speech," 
clear,  strongj  and  expanded  minds — so  that  the 
deficiency  in  their  utterance  is  more  than  coun- 
terbalanced by  the  value  of  the  sentiments  they 
express . 

However,  tlie  faculty  of  conversation  is  ca 
pable  Oi"  great  iinprovement.  By  proper  appli- 
cation and  attention,  the  most  deficient  in  this 
respect,  can  learn,  not  only  the  proper  subjects  of 
conversation,  but  also  to  speak  in  an  appropriate 
and  agreeable  manner. 

That  there  are  evils  growing  out  of  an  igno- 
rance upon  this  subject,  admits  of  not  a  doubt. 
How  much  unhappiness  has  been  caused  by  im- 
proper language.  Who  has  not  experienced  the 
evils  flowing  from  even  one  "unruly  tongue"  in 
the'^neighborhood  ?  How  many  misunderstand- 
ings, difficulties,  feuds,  animosities — how  much 
contention,  and  discord,  and  warring — have  been 
caused  by  "  the  little  member,"  wh©n  it  is  "full 
of  deadly  poison !"  Not  only  has  society  expe- 
rienced these  evils,  but  they  have  extended  theriK 
selves  to  kingdoms.  Nations  have  been  involved 
in  long  and  bloody  wars,  originating  solely  in  the 


360  CONVERSATION. 

utterance  of  a  harsh  expression,  or  an  unguarded 
sentence. 

My  suggestions  upon  tlils  subject  must  neces- 
sarily be  of  a  general  character,  relating  more 
particularly  to  public  intercourse,  than  to  conver- 
sation with  intimate  friends  and  relatives  in  the 
private  family  circle.  Although  in  the  latter 
case,  the  spirit,  and  in  most  instances  the  letter, 
of  the  remarks  that  follow,  should  be  strictly  ob- 
served. 

In  conversation,  guard  against  raising  your 
voice  to  a  high  key.  Young  ladies  frequently 
overlook  this  precaution.  In  the  hilarity  of  their 
spirits,  they  are  liable  to  indulge  in  a  volume  of 
voice,  which,  were  they  alone,  would  startle  them. 
The  improprieties  of  this  practice,  must  be  evi- 
dent. It  is  highly  indelicate.  There  is  a  certain 
modesty  and  reserve  which  young  ladies  can  no 
more  overstep  with  propriety,  in  their  language 
and  voice,  than  in  their  personal  manners.  The 
practice  of  loud  speaking,  is  not  only  indelicate, 
but  it  disturbs  others.  What  can  be  more  dis- 
agreeable than  for  a  female  voice  to  be  raised  to 
the  alto  key,  and  stun  the  rest  of  the  company 
into  silence.  All  eyes  are  riveted  upon  its  ownei^ 
and  in  many  a  discreet  mind,  she  becomes  an  ob- 
ject of  censure  and  dislike.  Neither  should  loud 
conversation  in  the  public  street,  be  indulged  in — 
a  habit  which  some  young  ladies  think  quite  al- 
lowable and  appropriate.  But  it  is  an  oflfence 
against  delicacy  and  propriety.    Young  women 


CONVEftS'ATION-  361 

of  commendabTeigaodesty,  will  be  cautious  how 
they  attract  the  gaze  of  the  throng  iu  the  public 
thoroughfare,  by  their  loud  speech,  or  rude  be- 
havior. You  cannot  be  too  circunnspect  in  your 
demeanor  in  public.  An  indiscretion,  either  in 
word  or  action  exhibited  there,  is  noticed  by 
many,  who  will  set  it  down  much  to  your  disad- 
vantage. ♦ 

Equally  to  be  avoided  is  an  affected,  lisping,  or 
drawling  manner  of  speaking.  By  some,  this  is 
considered  exceedingly  polished  and  lady-like. 
But  in  this  they  greatly  err.  The  real  lady  stud- 
ies to  speak  naturally^  and  that  is  ever  graceful- 
ly. An  affected  tone  or  pronunciation,  evinces  a 
weak  mind — so  weak,  indeed,  as  to  resort  to  this 
outward  mincmg,  to  establish  pretensions  to  gen^ 
tility,  instead  of  exhibiting  those  emotions  of 
kindness  and  urbanity,  which  are  the  unfailing 
indications  of  genuine  politeness.  You  greatly 
mistake,  if  you  imagine  your  claims  to  the  char- 
acter of  a  lady,  can  be  established  by  affectation. 
This,  so  far  from  gaining  you  the  esteem  and  re- 
spect of  the  listeners,  will  make  you  appear  in- 
sipid and  simple — devoid  of  taste  and  good  sense. 
Many  young  ladies,  by  vain  affectation  in  their 
language  and  manners,  have  often  created  dis- 
gust, where  they  might  otherwise  have  gained 
respect.  I  repeat,  in  your  conversation,  speak  in 
your  natural  tone  of  voice,  and  with  a  pronun- 
ciation clear,  distinct,  and  correct.  Lexicogra- 
phers, as  well  as  people  of  different  countries  and 
31 


362  C0.\V£R.SAT10N- 

communilies,  vary  in  regard  to  the  rules  of  pro- 
nunciation. Johnson  and  Walker,  are  both  de- 
ficient in  many  respects.  Webster  is  more  chaste 
and  natural,  and  in  this  country,  is  rapidly  be- 
coming '.he  general  standard  of  pronunciation. 

Be  upon  your  guard  against  engrossing  too 
much  of  the  conversation  in  company.  When 
you  reflect  how  often  the  most  guarded  speak  in 
a  manner  which  they  afterward  regret — how 
often  they  converse  on  subjects,  and  Velate  cir- 
cumstances, and  circulate  reports  that  are  im- 
proper— you  will  perceive  the  dangers  which  sur- 
round the  unguarded  and  talkative  ;  and  you  will 
also  perceive  the  necessity  of  allowing  the  judg- 
ment to  hold  with  firm  grasp,  the  reins  of  the 
tongue,  that  nothing  of  an  injudicious  character 
may  be  uttered.  In  company,  if  you  can  not 
speak  to  the  purpose — if  your  tongue  is  liable  to 
run  away  with  your  sense — the  less  you  say,  the 
better.  But  if  you  can  converse  in  a  judicious 
and  sensible  manner,  you  still  should  avoid  speak- 
ing too  much,  because  others  may  have  a  desire 
to  express  their  sentiments,  as  well  as  yourself. 
Few  people  have  an  inclination  to  remain  silent 
by  the  hour,  to  listen  to  your  words,  however 
proper  they  may  be ;  but  all  desire  to  bear  a  part 
in  the  general  flow  of  social  conversation.  I 
would  not  recommend  an  entire  reserve,  a  total 
silence— this  would  be  as  much  an  extreme  as 
volubility — though  not  so  dangerous.  Every 
young  woman  should  exercise  her  judgment  in 


CONVERSATION.  363 

this  respect,  and  take  such  part  in  the  general 
conversation,  as  circumstances  and  propriety  die- 
late.  However,  "  it  were  far  better  to  leave  a 
circle  wishing,  from  Avhat  you  have  actually  said, 
that  you  had  said  more,  than  out  of  patience  with 
you  for  having  talked  so  much." 

Young  ladies  should  avoid  conversing  even  in 
whispers,  in  assemblies  convened  for  the  worship 
of  God,  or  for  any  public  lecture.  This  practice 
is  highly  reprehensible.  It  disturbs  both  the 
speaker  and  the  audience — especially  those  in 
your  immediate  vicinity.  There  is  no  greater 
manifestation  of  a  lack  of  politeness,  than  this, 
"When  I  behold  young  people,  on  such  occasions, 
inattentive  to  the  subjects  that  should  engross 
their  entire  attention,  and  engaged  in  frequent 
whisperings,  I  instantly  set  them  down  as  youth 
extremely  ill  bred,  and  entirely  destitute  of  the 
most  ordinary  rules  of  decorum! 

Never  allov/  yourself  to  speak  evil  of  another, 
without  the  most  ample  evidence  of  their  guilt. 
Mankind,  in  their  best  estate,  are  liable  to  err. 
There  is  enough,  therefore,  to  be  said  of  the  real 
defects  of  ourselves  as  v/ell  as  others,  without  at- 
tributing evil  conduct  to  people,  of  which  they 
are  not  guilty.  You  should  be  slow  to  believe 
reports  detrimental  to  the  good  name  of  your 
neighbor,  and  still  slov/er  in  spreading  them 
abroad  to  the  world.  I  urge  you  not  to  counte- 
nance or  cover  up  vice — this  would  be  Very  im- 
proper.    But  T  would  have   you   very  cautious 


364  C(JNVERaATIO\, 

about  believing  or  circulating  statements  detri- 
mental to  the  reputation  of  another,  until  you  are 
fully  and  perfectly  satisfied  that  they  are  guilty 
of  the  misdemeanor  alleged  against  them. — 
Neither  withhold  praise  wherever  it  is  due.  It  is 
a  mark  of  a  selfish  and  vain  spirit,  never  to  allow- 
that  any  but  yourself  or  your  particular  friends 
possess  any  talent,  acquirement,  or  worth.  But 
it  is  an  indication  of  a  generous  and  noble  mind, 
to  give  credit  to  those  who  deserve  it — to  ac- 
knowledge the  valuable  qualities  displayed  even 
by  an  enemy. 

Do  not  allow  yourself  to  indulge  in  ridiculing 
any,  in  regard  to  their  dress  or  appearance — es- 
pecially the  poor  and  the  aged.  This  would 
evince  an  emptiness  of  mind,  and  a  coldness  of 
heart,  deserving  of  deep  reproof.  The  young 
lady  who  indulges  in  this  practice,  is  unv/orthy  ot 
affection  or  respect.  Having  no  heart  to  feel — 
no  sense  of  propriety  to  direct — whoever  becomes 
connected  with  her,  will  most  certainly  and  keen- 
ly feel  the  evils  flowing  from  these  deficiencies. 
in  company,  you  should  avoid  making  any  one 
the  subject  of  much  raillery,  or  the  butt  of  wit- 
ticisms, or  endeavoring  to  turn  the  laugh  upon 
them.  Those  who  indulge  in  these  practices, 
often  unthinkingly  gain  enemies,  when  their  only 
object  was  to  cause  merriment.  And  although 
it  can  hardly  be  necessary,  yet  I  would  caution 
young  ladies  against  expressing  themselves  in 
coarse  language,  or  interlarding  their  conversa- 


CONVERSATION.  365 

tion  with  tlegratling  epitheti^,  or  illustrating  their 
views  with  low  comparisons.  I  need  not  say 
that  all  these  practices  are  opposed  to  female  del- 
icacy and  propriety. 

In  conversation,  always  endeavor  to  be  agree- 
able, pleasant,  and  sensible.  These  are  no  small 
additions  to  the  attractions  of  a  young  lady.  In 
company  it  is  not  inappropriate  to  engage  occa- 
sionally in  grave  and  serious  conversation,  yet, 
generally,  the  topics  should  be  of  a  cheerful  char- 
acter, as  the  object  of  assembling  in  company,  is 
to  confer  mutual  enjoyment  and  satisfaction.  But 
in  allowing  the  conversation  to  be  cheerful,  care 
should  be  taken  not  to  permit  it  to  degenerate 
into  the  frivolous  or  ridiculous.  The  amusing 
and  instructive  should  both  be  blended  together, 
so  as  equally  to  interest  and  improve  those  who 
converse  and  those  who  listen.  It  is  time  wasted 
to  engage  in  conversation  that  has  not  a  tendency 
to  enlighten  and  improve. 

To  have  your  conversation  interesting  to  others, 
it  is  necessary  that  you  possess  a  well  cultivated 
and  well  stored  mind.  Without  this  pre-requi- 
site,  there  is  danger  that  it  will  be  insipid  and 
irksome  to  the  discriminating.  In  despite  of  all 
precaution,  the  true  qualities  of  the  mind  will 
develope  themselves  in  a  free  interchange  of 
thought.  While  the  weakness  and  imbecility, 
the  selfishness  and  vanity,  of  the  ignorant  and 
untrained  mind,  will  become  clearly  visible — on 
the  other  hand,  the  discipline  and  cultivation,  the 
31* 


366  CUNVKHSATION. 

intrinsic  excellences  and  valuable  acquirements 
ol'  the  enlightened  underatanding,  will,  without 
etfort,  brightly  shine  forth,  and  add  beauty  and 
interest  to  the  possessor.  This  should  be  an  ad- 
ditional inducement  to  influence  young  women 
to  turn  much  of  their  attention  to  mental  culti- 
vation. 

You  will  bevv^are  of  egotism,  as  much  as  pos- 
sible. Let  self^  with  its  importance,  its  accom- 
plishments, and  all  its  wonderful  achievements, 
be  forgotten  in  the  desire  either  to  please,  interest, 
or  instruct  those  v/ith  whom  you  converse,  or  in 
a  disposition  to  learn  from  their  superior  wisdom 
or  experience,  wherein  you  was  before  deficient. 

Avoid  the  appearance  of  pedantry.  Your  tal- 
ents and  acquirements  should  not  be  devoted  to 
display  alone,  but  to  the  instruction  and  edifica- 
tion of  those  with  whom  you  associate.  When- 
ever, therefore,  you  converse  with  those  whose 
attainments  are  limited,  instead  of  making  a  pom- 
pous display  of  your  knowledge,  and  speaking  in 
a  strain  above  their  comprehension,  interspersed 
with  hackneyed  expressions,  or  quotations  from  a 
foreign  language,  or  with  scraps  of  poetry,  you 
should  accommodate  yourself  to  their  capacities, 
and  speak  in  a  plain,  simple,  instructive  manner, 
which  they  can  understand  and  appreciate.  Tt  is 
one  of  the  characteristics  of  a  discriminating  and 
enlightened  mind,  to  know  how  to  accommodate 
itself  to  the  condition,  employment,  and  capacities 
of  those  with  whom  it  converses,  so  that  it  can 


CONVERSATION.  367 

impart  and  receive  information,  by  an  exchange 
of  thought  with  the  most  ignorant. 

Always  give  the  strictest  adherence  to  truth. 
How  dark  is  the  stain  cast  upon  the  character  of 
the  young  lady,  who  is  known  to  deviate  from  the 
straight  line  of  truth.  Veracity  is  one  of  the 
brightest  jewels  of  the  female  character.  Never 
allow  it  to  be  sullied  under  any  pretence  whatever. 
But  by  a  strict  adherence  to  truth  in  all  cases, 
erect  a  strong  pillar  for  the  upholding  of  a  spot- 
less reputation. 

Some  young  ladies,  who  reside  in  our  cities 
and  villages,  when  visiting  their  friends  in  the 
country,  often  exhibit  a  great  lack  of  discretion 
and  propriety.  While  speaking  lightly,  and  per- 
haps contemptuously,  of  the  plain  appearance, 
dress,  or  habits  of  the  people  of  the  country,  the 
constant  themes  of  their  conversation,  are  the 
fashions,  amusements,  and  the  superior  refine- 
ment of  a  city  life.  Every  thing  in  city  or  village 
is  extolled,  while  all  in  the  country  is  cried  out 
against,  as  outlandish  and  vulgar.  At  social  par- 
ties, and  often  at  church,  their  whole  time  is 
spent  in  pointing  out,  and  making  remarks  upon, 
the  alleged  boorish  appearance  and  manners  of 
the  people.  It  is  truly  surprising  that  young 
ladies,  who  indulge  in  these  practices,  do  not  per- 
ceive their  impropriety — do  not  perceive  that  this 
conduct  shows  an  entire  lack  of  good  breeding, 
of  genuine  politeness  and  gentility — do  not  per- 
ceive how  evident  they  make  it  appear,  that  those 


368  CONVLUMATION. 

very  country  people  wlioni  ilu/y  ridicule  as  so  far 
removed  from  fashion,  are  immensely  above  them 
iu  every  valuable  and  useful  qualification,  in  every 
trait  of  real  urbanity  and  politeness.*  Such 
young  ladies  should  be  aware  that  in  this  manner 
they  make  themselves  perfectly  ridiculous,  and 
that  in  the  eyes  of  the  discriminating,  they  are  the 
ones  who  are  deficient  in  the  most  valuable  qual- 
ifications of  ladies.  In  visiting  the  country,  you 
should  go  as  learners^  and  not  as  instructors — for 
there  are  many  valuable  lessons,  not  only  in  in- 
dustry, economy  and  taste,  but  also  in  the  rules 
of  propriety  and  good  manners,  that  you  can 
learn  iu  the  country,  and  profitably  put  into  prac- 
tice when  you  return.  And  you  should  avoid 
pressing  upon  your  country  friends,  your  peculiar 
views  of  fashion  and  manners,  which  too  oftea 
ariginate  in  the  degrading  corruptions  of  the 
town — and,  in  general,  allude  to  them  no  farther 
than  to  answer  inquiries  relating  to  them.  Fash- 
ions deeply  bordering  on  indelicacy,  are  some- 
times tolerated  by  the  vitiated  taste  of  the  city ; 
but  those  who  should  adopt  them  where  the 
purer  and  more  modest  taste  of  the  country  pre- 
vails, would  be  justly  subjected  to  ridicule  and 


•  See  definition  of  peliteness,  in  "  A  Voice  to  Youth," 
chax)ter  viil 


i    •  CHAPTER    XII. 

SELF-GOVERNMENT. 

The  importance  oi"  self-government,  to  young 
ladies,  is  so  perfectly  evident,  that  it  is  unneces- 
sary to  enter  upon  a  labored  argument  to  prove  a 
point  so  clear.  Having  endov^^ed  us  with  all  the 
powers  and  faculties  necessary  for  our  enjoyment 
and  usefulness,  our  Creator  enjoins  it  upon  us  to 
bring  these  capabilities  into  a  proper  activity,  and 
to  allow  the  mental  and  moral  powers  to  exercise 
that  guidance  and  control,  for  which  they  are  so 
peculiarly  adapted.  Self-government,  therefore, 
is  a  necessary  duty,  devolving  upon  us  from  our 
consntution  and  condition.  A  faithful  discharge 
of  th^s  duty,  is  one  of  the  most  effectual  means  of 
securing  the  highest  earthly  prosperity  and  en- 
joyment ;  but  its  neglect  will  as  effectually  in- 
voivr  you  in  the  deepest  Avretchedness.  Know 
thysf^'f,  and  control  thyself,  are  two  injunctions 
fruitful  in  blessings.  If  self-government  is  neces- 
sary for  young  men,  how  much  more  important 
is  >>s  exercise  to  young  women  ! — how  absolutely 

369 


370  SEl.r  GOVKRNMENT. 

essential  to  ilieir  character  and  general  safety! 
Without  its  controUi  ig  influence,  you  may  ima- 
gine yourself  free,  but  you  are  in  imminent  dan- 
ger of  a  miserable  vassalage,  a  degrading  bondage 
to  every  evil  principle,  every  debasing  passion. 
Without  it,  although  you  may,  for  a  season,  re- 
main re-pectahle,  yet  you  have  no  assurance  that 
ruin  and  wretchedness  will  not  speedily  overtake 
you.  Ir.deed,  without  a  firm  and  decided  self- 
government,  it  is  impossible  for  you  long  to  re- 
tain a  good  character,  and  a  common  proportion 
of  happiness. 

The  basis  of  strict  self-government,  rests  upon 
a  knowledge  of  your  own  nature,  the  character  of 
your  wants,  and  the  proper  manner  of  supplying 
ihem,  and  an  enlightened  understanding  of  the 
moral  and  religious  instructions  of  the  Gospel  of 
Jesus  Christ.  A  greater  or  less  amount  of  igno- 
rance upon  these  points,  will,  in  a  proportionate 
'degree,  involve  you  in  a  debasing  thraldom  to  the 
animal  propensities,  and  dim  the  lustre  of  your 
higher  nature.  But  become  enlightened  upon 
these  subjects,  and  to  the  same  extent  will  you 
be  enabled  to  restrain  and  control  the  various 
passions  which  pertain  to  your  bodily  constitu- 
tion. 

A  perfect  self-government  is  no  trivial  achieve- 
ment. "  Ke  thai  is  master  of  his  own  spirit,  is  a 
hero  indeed."  But  it  is  much  easier  to  obtain 
this  victory  in  youth,  than  in  more  advanced  life. 
If  you   ccrnmence    early  a  habitual  self-control, 


SELF-GOVERNMENT.  371 

the  pasiion  >  are  easily  brouglit  under  proper  "re- 
straint, and  yoa  can  govern  them  through  life 
without  difficulty.  But  delay  until  they  have  ob- 
tained an  ascendancy  over  your  higher  nature, 
and  you  can  not  succeed  in  reducing  them  to  the 
control  of  the  mental  and  moral  faculties,  without 
^n  arduous  and  afflicting  struggle.  There  need 
be  no  ignorance  respecting  the  manner  of  exer- 
cising and  enforcing  self-control ;  for  nature  has 
afforded  you  every  needed  requisite.  The  pro- 
pensities prompt  to  a  certam  action,  and  urge  its 
commission.  The  mental  faculties  enable  you 
to  discover  the  real  nature  of  the  act,  and  point 
to  the  consequences  which  will  flow  from  it — and 
the  moral  powers  will  indicate  its  character, 
whether  right  or  wrong,  good  or  evil.  Now,  self- 
government  consists  in  abiding  by,  and  enforcing, 
the  decisions  of  the  mental  and  moral  powers. 
But  by  giving  Avay  to  the  promptings  of  the  pro- 
pensities, in  violation  to  the  dictates  of  the  higher 
faculties,  you  destroy  self-control,  and  unfailingly 
become  involved  in  wretchedness. 

From  these  reflections,  you  perceive  that  self- 
government  should  first  be  exercised  upon  the 
thoughts.  Indeed,  I  may  safely  say,  this  is  its 
entire  field  of  operations.  Few,  it^  any,  actions, 
good  or  bad,  are  performed,  that  are  not  the  sub- 
ject of  a  mental  process — so  that  the  action  par- 
takes of  the  character  of  the  thought.  To  have 
the  actions  right,  then,  the  thoughts  must  be  pure 
— and  to  obtain  this  purity,  the  thoughts  must  be 


372  StLF-GOVEHN.MENT. 

under  the  guidance  of  die  mental  and  moral  pow- 
ers, and  above  the  swaying  influence  of  the  pas- 
sions. Many  seem  to  imagine  it  unnecessary  to 
exercise  any  control  over  the  thoughts,  but  allow 
them  the  entire  range  of  the  imagination.  "  Why 
restrain  the  thoughts?"  says  one — "thoughts  are 
harmless."  Virtuous  thoughts  are  harmless;  but 
all  thoughts  are  not  of  this  character.  Those  of 
a  vicious  nature,  will  sometimes  obtrude  upon 
the  mind,  and  when  allowed  to  remain  there  un- 
checked, they  become  the  primary  elements  of 
sinful  actions.  But  if  you  exercise  a  proper  self- 
government,  and  w^ith  firmness  expel  immediate- 
ly such  thoughts,  when  they  enter  the  mental 
abode,  they  will  then  have  no  opportunity  to  ob- 
tain a  foothold,  or  to  exert  their  poisoning  and 
destructive  influences. 

In  previous  chapters,  I  have  noticed  several 
subjects  that  might  legitimately  come  under  the 
head  of  self-government.  As  it  is  unnecessary 
to  repeat  them,  it  only  remains  for  me  to  call 
your  attention,  briefly,  to  a  few  addiiioual  points, 
in  regard  to  which  it  is  necessary  to  exercise 
self-control. 

Petulance  is  a  failing  strictly  to  be  guarded 
against.  This  is  an  unhappy  state  of  mind,  to 
which  young  ladies  sometimes  give  way.  To  be- 
come irritated  at  every  little  circumstance  which 
is  not  perfectly  agreeable — to  permit  the  flash  of 
anger  to  overspreacj  the  countenance  at  every 
tTtbing  offence — wii!  destroy  the  influence  of  the 


SELF-GOVERNMENT.  373 

loveliest  personal  attractions,  and  cause  her  who 
exhibits  lliis  irascible  temper,  to  become  disa- 
greeable to  herself  and  offensive  to  others.  These 
outbreakings  of  petulance  throw  you  entirely  off 
your  guardj  and  while  the  fit  is  on,  render  you 
almost  as  destitute  of  the  guidance  of  reason,  as 
the  monomaniac.  Yet  you  are  as  accountable 
for  your  conduct  in  these  paroxysms,  as  in  your 
calmest  moments,  because  it  is  no  excuse  for  a 
reprehensible  action,  that  it  was  performed  under 
the  influence  of  anger.  Many  are  the  words  and 
the  actions  of  which  you  are  guilty  in  moments 
-of  petulance,  that  you  deeply  regret  when  cool 
reflection  ensues ;  and  in  this  manner  you  sub- 
ject yourself  to  ridicule  and  disrespect.  A  dis- 
position of  this  character  clouds  your  prospects 
of  a  respectable  and  eligible  connection.  Who 
can  desire  to  be  united  for  life,  to  one  who  gives 
every  indication  of  speedily  becoming  a  scold  and 
a  vixen  ? 

There  is  undoubtedly  much  difference  in  natu- 
ral temperament,  in  regard  to  this  disposition. 
Some  are  quickly  excited  by  circumstances  that 
would  have  but  little  influence  upon  others.  But 
no  one  has  been  endowed  with  a  disposition  that 
is  ungovernable.  By  a  due  cultivation  of  the  in- 
tellectual and  moral  powers,  and  by  a  proper  ex- 
ercise of  them  in  self-government,  the  most  irrita- 
ble disposition  can  be  held  in  subjection.  When- 
ever you  discover  your  temper  rising  in  such 
manner  as  to  threaten  an  outbreaking,  bring  it  at 
32 


374  BLLF-aoVKRNMENT. 

once  under  the  control  of  the  higher  sentime-nts— 
exert  reflection  for  one  moment,  on  the  disagreea- 
ble effect  and  result  of  such  a  disposition,  and  you 
will  be  greatly  aided  in  self-control.  If  you  feel 
that  your  irritation  is  like  to  exceed  command, 
exercise  sufRcienl  presence  of  mind  to  leave  im- 
mediately the  company  of  the  offending  party,  if 
possible,  and  the  effervescence  of  your  anger  will 
be  the  more  harmless,  and  will  the  sooner  sub- 
side. It  has  been  recommended,  that  when  per- 
sons are  becoming  angry,  they  should  speak  in  a 
subdued  and  gentle  tone  of  voice,  which  would  be 
more  likely  to  keep  the  passions  in  a  calmer  state. 
"A  soft  answer  turneth  away  wrath,"  says  the 
wise  man — and  not  only  so,  but  will  cause  your 
own  anger  to  subside.  Caius  Gracchus,  the  Ro- 
man, was  a  man  of  strong  passions,  which  often  \ei 
him  into  a  loud  and  boisterous  manner  of  speak- 
.ng.  To  remedy  this  evil,  he  caused  his  servant, 
Licinius  always  to  attend  him  with  a  pitch-pipe, 
or  instrument  to  regulate  the  voice,  with  direc- 
tions that  whenever  his  master  raised  his  voice 
above  a  certain  pitch,  he  should  sound  a  soft  note 
on  his  pipe.  This  ingenious  expedient  had  the 
desired  effect  of  keeping  Caius  within  the  bounds 
of  moderation.  If  the  fair  rerader,  when  emo- 
tions of  anger  are  kindling  in  her  breast,  would 
think  of  the  pitch-pipe  of  Caius  Gracchus,  it  might 
greatly  assist  her  in  allaying  its  outbreakings. 

Self-government  is  necessary  to  avoid  violating 
ibe   confidence   reposed  in  you.     In  yofrr  inter- 


8ELF-O0Vr.r<NMEr<T. 


375 


course  wiih  your  associates,  many  circumstances 
will  be  communicated  to  you  with  injunctions  of 
secresy.  There  are  some  who,  it  would  seem, 
are  entirely  incapable  of  keeping  a  secret  any 
length  of  lime.  The  moment  they  obtain  it.  al- 
■though,  perhaps,  profuse  in  protestations  of  invi- 
olability, they  are  as  restless  with  their  charge, 
as  though  they  were  pressing  coals  of  fire.  They 
give  themselves  no  peace,  day  nor  night,  until  the 
privacy  is  divulged  in  a  delightful  gossip  with 
some  other  secret-hunter,  who  receives  it  with 
iike  promises  of  silence,  only  to  be  again  broken 
in  like  manner.  Others  receive  confidential  com- 
munications, with  an  honest  mental  resolve  that 
they  will  not  divulge  them.  But  in  an  unguarded 
moment,  the  secret  is  revealed  to  some  intimate 
friend,  from  whom  it  flies  to  another,  and  another, 
iifi*i{  it  finally  becomes  entirely  public.  This 
imbecility  is  wholly  owing  to  a  lack  of  self-gov- 
ernment. There  is  much  prudence  to  be  observed 
in  receiving  communications  of  a  confidential 
character.  You  should  never  pledge  your  word 
to  keep  a  secret,  until  you  ascertain  something  of 
its  nature — or  should  never  make  such  pledge, 
without  a  reservation  against  concealing  any  fact 
that  duty  would  require  you  to  divulge.  If  re- 
ports are  repeated  to  you,  calculated  to  injure  the 
character  or  peace  of  an  innocent  individual,  how- 
ever strong  may  be  the  injunctions  to  secresy, 
you  should  unhesitatingly  reveal  them  to  the  per- 
son to  whom  they  relate,  that  wrong  may  be  pre- 


376  SELK-OCiVDItNMCNT. 

vented  or  remedieil.  But  when  a  friend  reposes 
confidence  in  you,  and  communicates  information 
which  no  clear  duty  calls  upon  you  to  divulge, 
you  should  lock  the  secret  in  your  hreast,  and 
never,  without  permission,  reveal  it  to  the  most 
intimate  companion.  Under  these  circumstances, 
you  should  strictly  conform  to  the  j;'olden  rule, 
and  keep  the  secrets  of  another,  as  you  would 
have  another  keep  yours.  And  hy  exercising  that 
self-control  which  all  can  command,  you  can  suc- 
ceed in  this  determination,  to  a  most  perfect  de- 
gree. While  upon  this  subject,  permit  me  to 
remark,  that  it  is  exceedingly  improper  to  impor- 
tune or  endeavor,  in  any  vvay,  to  wring  from 
others,  secrets  which  they  desire  not  to  divulge. 
Politeness  and  propriety  direct,  whenever  an  evi- 
dent disinclination,  is  manifested  to  reveal  any 
thing  of  a  confidential  nature,  that  you  should 
forbear  further  solicitations,  and  remain  silent  in 
respect  to  it. 

Strive  to  be  contented  icitk  your  condition. 
"A  contented  mind  is  a  continual  feast,"  says  the 
old  maxim-  truly.  Contentment  is  an  unceasing 
fountain  of  enjoyment.  Without  it,  all  condi- 
tions, however  elevated  or  prosperous,  are  alike 
barren  of  happiness.  In  this  manner — under  the 
influence  of  contentment — the  peasant  in  his  cot- 
tage, is  often  vastly  more  happy  than  the  mon- 
arch in  his  gorgeous  palace. 

"Hail,  blest  estate  of  lowliness, 
n.ippy  rnjoymeiits  of  such  minda 


BELF-QOVEKNMENT.  377 

As,  rich  In  pure  contents dnesa, 

Can,  like  the  reeds  in  roughest  winds, 
By  yielding,  make  that  blow  but  small, 
By  which  proud  oaks  and  cedars  fall." 

It  is  important  that  young  ladies  should  strive  to 
be  contented  with  their  condition.  The  influen- 
ces of  a  disposition  of  an  opposite  character,  will 
not  only  make  them  unhappy,  but  will  be  liable  to 
lead  them  into  efforts  to  change  their  circumstan- 
ces,, that  may  be  indiscreet,  yea,  positively  dan- 
gerous. Wisdom  and  prudence  dictate  that  they 
should  qualify  themselves  for  a  faithful  and  use- 
ful discharge  of  duties,  which,  from  any  change 
of  circumstances,  may  devolve  upon  them  j  but, 
in  the  meantime,  to  remain  contented  with  their 
present  circumstances,  until  opportunity  shall  of- 
fer for  a  prudent  change.  A  trifling  exercise  of 
self-government,  in  this  respect,  can  not  but  be 
highly  beneficial. 

Never  allow  yourself  to  dislike  those  who 
would  counsel  you.  Young  people  are  liable  to 
indulge  in  this  feeling.  Whenever  parents  or 
friends  would  dissuade  them  from  those  things 
that  would  exert  a  deleterious  influence  upon 
their'  prosperity  and  happiness,  they  sometimes 
look  upon  them  &s  needlessly  opposing  their  en- 
joyments, and  hence  allow  a  feeling  of  dislike 
to  arise  against  them.  But  this  is  highly  im- 
proper. "  Love  those  who  advise  you,  not  those 
who  praise  you,"  says  Boileau.  Think  not  those 
unkind  who  would  caution  you  respecting  your 
conduct.  They  harbor  no  evil  design  against 
32* 


378  8CLK  OOVCRNMENT. 

you — their  only  object  la  counselling  you,  is  your 
benefit.  Had  ihey  no  regard  for  your  welfare, 
had  they  no  interest  in  your  peace  and  prosperity, 
they  v/ould  remain  silent.  But  being  alive  to 
your  happiness — cherishing  a  deep  solicitude  that 
you  should  be  respected  and  honored — they  watch 
over  you  with  careful  scrutiny,  and  would  direct 
you  in  those  paths  which,  while  free  from  dan- 
ger, will  lead  you  into  permanent  peace  and  en- 
joyment. In  this  light  should  you  look  upon 
their  admonitions.  You  should  allow  their  exer- 
tions in  your  behalf,  to  awaken  sentiments  of  es- 
teem and  gratitude,  rather  than  dislike.  And 
with  a  knowledge  of  their  kind  intentions,  you 
should  permit  their  advice  to  have  a  deep  and 
abiding  influence  upon  you. 

Finally,  study  your  own  nature  and  disposi- 
tion; learn  your  respective  duties  toward  God, 
your  fellow-beings,  and  yourself — cherish  the 
resolution  to  discharge  them  faithfully — and  the 
work  of  self-government  will  not  be  difficult  oi 
irksome. 


CHAPTER    XIII. 

MARRIAGE. 

While  it  may  not,  perhaps,  be  necessary  to 
urge  young  ladies  to  reflect  upon  the  subject  of 
marriage,  yet  it  is  all-important  that  they  should 
be  counselled  to  reflect  aright  in  regard  to  it. — 
Marriage  is  one  of  the  most  important  events  in 
the  life  of  woman.  It  effects  a  total  revolution 
in  her  circumstances.  It  introduces  her  into  a 
new  field  of  existence — to  new  scenes,  duties, 
trials  and  responsibilities.  Her  peace,  happiness, 
and  prosperity,  throughout  the  remaining  portion 
of  her  earthly  existence,  depend  mainly  upon  the 
circumstances  under  which  she  enters  into  this 
union.  To  young  ladies,  then,  marriage  should 
be  a  subject  of  deep,  solemn,  mature  deliberation. 
It  should  be  divested  of  all  romantic  imagina* 
tions,  and  be  viewed  as  an  event  of  a  character 
so  momentous,  as  to  give  shape  to  their  destiny — 
a  change  which  is  to  decide  whether  theirs  is  to 
be  happiness  or  sorrow,  peace  or  wretchedness, 
through  life. 

379 


380  MARniAQK. 

With  these  self-evident  remarks  in  view  it 
would  seom  qiiife  unnecessary  to  caution  young 
Jadics  against  entering  rashly  and  without  suffi- 
cient premeditation  into  the  married  state.  And 
yet  how  many  rush  blindfolded  as  it  were,  into 
this  connexion  for  life  !  How  many,  under  the 
influence  of  some  romantic,  evanescent  attach- 
ment, arising  i'rora  frivolous  circumstances,  or 
the  most  empty  and  fleeting  attractions,  confide 
their  happiness  to  the  keeping  of  those  every  way 
unworthy  of  a  trust  so  important,  and  v/ho  are 
utterly  incapable  of  sincere  love,  or  generous  sen- 
timent !  A  long  life  of  contention,  of  bitteruess, 
may  be,  of  poverty  and  want,  and  degradation, 
too  late  convinces  them  of  their  early  folly.  I 
repeat,  therefore,  that  an  event  of  so  much  im- 
portance, and  upon  which  depend  so  many  seri- 
ous and  long  continued  consequences,  should  be 
a  matter  of  the  most  serious  and  prayerful  reflec- 
tion to  young  ladies.  And  the  necessity  of  pre- 
cautionary meditation  is  strengthened  by  the  re- 
flection, that  a  mis-step  in  this  event,  is  irrepara- 
ble. When  once  the  union  has  been  formed,  no 
awakening  from  a  dreaming  delusion,  no  discov- 
ery of  mistaken  views,  or  unconfirmed  anticipa- 
tions, or  unrequited  affection,  no  regret,  or  sor- 
row, or  despondency,  can  dissolve  its  ties  and 
restore  the  deceived  one  to  her  former  condition. 
A  life  deeply  clouded  with  wretchedness,  is  the 
unavoidable  forfeiture  of  her  rashness. 

My  6r>:t  precaution  to  young  ladies,  in  regard 


MARniAGE.  381 

to  matrimony,  is  not  to  enter  upon  it  too  young. 
Thousands  of  females  are  brought  to  a  premature 
gravo  by  neglect  upon  this  point.  ?,Iarriage 
should  never  be  consummated  until  the  body  has 
obtained  full  growth  and  maturity — which  in 
females,  is  seldom  before  the  age  of  twenty  or 
twenty-two.  A  violation  of  this  rule,  induces  a 
long  train  of  evils,*  as  all  can  perceive  who  will 
make  the  slightest  observation  in  community. 
Another  objection,  in  addition  to  destruction  of 
health,  is,  that  females  must  arrive  at  years  of 
reflection  and  discretion,  before  they  can  possess 
that  maturity  of  judgment,  so  essential  to  the 
efficient  discharge  of  the  responsible  duties,  which 
devolve  upon  the  head  of  a  family.  I  have  en- 
deavored to  show  in  a  previous  chapter,  the  evils 
which  flow  from  this  lack  of  knowledge  and  judg- 
ment, to  the  lady  herself,  and  those  connected 
with  her. 

Beware  of  early  and  hasty  entanglements. 
Many  young  ladies  entertain  the  opinion  that  it 
is  very  romantic  to  fall  in  love  at  first  sight.  Plow- 
ever  appropriate  and  delightful  this  may  be  in  a 
lackadaisical  novel,  believe  me,  it  is  an  unwise 
and  very  silly  practice  in  real  life,  and  calls  in 
question  very  decidedly,  the  good  sense  of  her 
who  is  guilty  of  it.  The  aflections  have  little  or 
no  power  of  penetration  and  research  of  their 
own.     They  view  things  upon  the  surface,  and 

♦  See  Combe's  Moral  Philosophy,  Lecture  V. 


382  M\IT}»IA<SI!. 

when  uiicuntrolled.  are  capiivaleJ  by  what  ap' 
peats  i*)'fea'sirt'^,  wiilioul  any  regard  to  intrinsic 
worth,  ur  real  merit.  Hence,  as  appearances  are 
exceedingly  deceitful,  if  the  alFections  are  with- 
out guide,  they  are  as  liable  to  be  centered  upon 
a  worthless  object,  if  it  has  but  a  fair  exterior,  as 
upon  one  of  value.  Consequently,  this  falling  in 
love  at  first  sight,  is  extremely  dangeroas,-  and 
should  be  especially  guarded  against  by  yofmg 
ladies.  Our  Creator  has  placed  the  affections 
under  the  control  of  the  intellectual  powers — the 
reason — the  judgment— and  they  should  be  per- 
fnitted  to  decide  as  to  the  worth  and  excellence 
of  every  object,  before  the  affections  are  allowed 
to  settle  upon  it.  In  pursuing  this  course  the  re- 
stilt  seldom  foils  of  being  auspicious.  Young 
laJ?6s  s-hot^ld  be  exceedingly  cautious  to  keep 
their  affections  under  their  own  co-ntrd,  trntl  nev- 
er allow  them  to  concentrate  upon  an  individual, 
until  they  are  perfectly  satisfied  that  he  is  wor- 
thy of  the  riches  of  their  love. 

In  connection  with  this  precaution,  is  another 
of  equal  imporlance.  Never  engage  in  a  hasty 
marriage.  Many  instances  have  transpired  with- 
in my  own  observation,  and  undoubtedly,  within 
the  observation  of  the  reader,  where  parties  have 
married  after  an  acquaintance  of  but  a  few  days 
or  weeks  !  It  is  needless  to  dwell  upon  the  ex- 
ii  erne  danger  of  this  practice — especially  to  the 
lady.  What  a  consummation  of  imprudence  and 
folly,  to  connect  yourself  for  life,  with  one  who 


MAflRlAGC.  383 

is  virtually  a  stranger — of  whose  character,  prin- 
ciples and  habits  you  have  no  safe  ground  to 
judge  correctly  !  This  is,  indeed,  making  mar- 
riage "a  lottery."  If  you  imitate  this  example, 
the  chances  are  a  thousand  to  one,  that  you  will 
draw  a  blank! — yea,  much  worse  than  a  blank, 
an  unworthy  and  unprincipled  companion  !  Be- 
ware, then,  of  a  hasty  marriage,  as  you  value 
your  happiness.  For,  although,  in  this  manner, 
you  may  possibly  secure  an  eligible  connexion, 
yet  the  chances  of  a  contrary  result  are  so  nu- 
merous, thai  prudence'and  safety  will  not  war- 
rant the  hazard. 

JEqual  caution  is  necessary  against  entering  in 
to  .premature  and  rash  engagements.  They  of- 
ten lead  to  great  evils.  Before  you  pledge  your 
"troth,"  you  should  know  perfectly,  the  charac- 
ter of  your  suitor,  and  his  prospects  in  life.  And 
it  is  also  highly  necessary,  before  you  make  any 
engagement,  to  consult  your  parents  or  guardian, 
and  even  some  intimate  friend,  in  relation  to  its 
propriety.  Conceal  from  them  nothing  on  this 
point.  If  even  after  you  are  engaged,  you  discov- 
er in  him  who  pays  his  addresses  to  you,  any 
new  trait  of  character,  hitherto  unseen,  which 
you  have  good  reason  to  believe  would  be  a  bar 
to  your  happiness  were  you  united  with  him, 
break  oflf  the  engagement  immediately,  and  at  all 
hazards.  Your  future  peace  and  prosperity  de- 
mand it — and  justice,  honor  and  religion  will 
sarction  vcur  derision  ! 


384  MARKIAOZ. 

'•Abhor  the  vlmv  idea  of  clandestine  connexions 
as  a  violation  of  every  duty  you  owe  to  God  and 
man.  There  is  nothing  heroic  in  a  secret  corre- 
spondence. The  silliest  girU  and  weakest  men 
can  maintain  it.  and  h;\ve  been  most  frequently 
engaged  in  it.  Spurn  the  individual  who  would 
come  between  you  and  your  natural  guardians. 
Hearken  to  the  opinions  of  your  parents,  with  all 
that  deference  which  is  due  to  them.  Rare  are 
the  cases  in  which  you  should  act  in  opposition 
to  their  wishes." 

Never  marry  a  fop.  By  a  fop,  I  mean  a  man 
whose  whole  attention  and  mind  are  entirely  en- 
grossed by  dress  and  exterior  embellishments — 
he  who  view^s  the  hue  or  set  of  a  garment  as  of 
"greater  importance  than  industry  and  economy, 
than  honesty  of  intention,  purity  of  heart,  and 
the  cultivation  of  the  mind  !  Such  au  individual 
may  possess  comely  features,  may  make  a  fine 
appearance,  and  display  gentility  in  manners,  yet 
he  is  swayed  by  no  truly  valuable  characteristic 
— by  none  of  that  Avorthiness  which  is  so  essen- 
tial to  matrim.onial  happiness.  He  cannot  appre- 
ciate the  real  excellencies  of  the  female  heart, 
and  is  incapable  of  cherishing  pute  and  genuine 
affection.  To  unite  your  destiny  with  such  a 
man,  would  be  placing  your  happiness  upon  a 
sandy  foundation. 

Do  not  marry  an  indolent  man.  To  become 
the  wife  of  an  individual  of  this  character,  would 
be  to   subject  yourself,  in  all  human  probability, 


MARRIAGE.  386 

to  poverty  and  all  its  accompanying  evils.  If  he 
possesses  no  property  at  the  commencement  of 
matrimonial  life,  you  may  be  assured  there  is  lit- 
tle probability  of  his  thriving  afterward.  The 
young  man  who,  under  ordinary  circumstances, 
has  not  sufficient  industry  and  energy  to  acquire 
some  property  before  marriage,  will  not  be  likely 
to  do  so  with  the  cares  and  expenses  of  a  family 
upon  him.  Even  if  he  has  some  possessi9ns, 
there  is  no  certainty  that  he  will  long  retain 
them.  He  who  is  too  indolent  to  acquire  prop- 
erty, will  be  too  negligent  to  retain,  for  any 
grjeat  length  of  lime,  that  which  he  may  already 
possess. 

Be  equally  cautious  not  to  marry  a  spendthrift. 
The  same,  or  worse  consequences  Avill  follow 
this  indiscretion,  as  in  the  instance  last  referred 
to.  The  spendthrift  may  be  industrious — people 
of  this  character  often  are — but  of  what  avail  is 
his  industry,  if  he  squanders  the  fruit  of  his  exer- 
tions in  some  frivolous  and  useless  manner,  as 
fast  as  it  accumulates  ?  He  may  be  wealthy  ;  but 
the  riches  of  such  a  man  are  as  the  early  dew  be- 
fore the  rays  of  the  sun — they  will  speedily  van- 
ish away,  and  leave  poverty  and  wretchedness 
behind — the  more  keenly  felt,  because  of  former 
prosperity.  And,  besides,  the  spendthrift,  in  his 
extravagance,  is  liable  to,  and  usually  does,  ac- 
quire vicious  habits,  which  accelerate  the  ruin 
aHd  seal  the  misery  of  hinniself  and  his  family. 
You  can  ascertain  without  difficuliy,  the  charac- 
33 


386  MAnRiAaij. 

ler  of  a  youfi<^  man  in  thh  re>pect.  If  he  ex- 
pends all  his  income  in  vain  amusemetits,  while 
he  is  single,  you  may  be  quite  certain  he  will 
conlinue  a  course  a<;  l)ad,  or  even  worse,  after  en- 
tering the  MiairieJ  state.  "  I  have  in  my  eye  at 
this  moment,  an  accomplished  female,  (and  it 
were  easy  to  adduce  a  thousand  similar  cases.) 
who  married  a  man  of  vast  wealth,  but  of  prodi- 
gal habits  ;  and  years  have  passed  away  since 
that  i-mmense  fortune  has  gone  to  the  winds  ;  and 
the  last  remains  of  it  were  squandered  amidst  the 
tears,  and  in  spite  of  the  lender  and  earnest  ex- 
postulations of  a  suffering  family.  And  nov/,  if  I 
should  look  for  that  once  rejoicing  and  apparently- 
fortunate  bride,  I  should  go  to  an  obscure  cabin 
of  wretchedness,  and  should  find  her  laboring 
with  h«r  own  hands,  to  provide  bread  for  her  more 
than  orphan  children,  and  she  would  tell  me  a 
tale  of  wo,  which,  however  familiar  to  me,  would 
make  me  sit  down  and  weep.  TKis  same  man, 
who  has  plunged  her  and  her  little  ones  into  so 
much  wretchedness,  possesses  many  naturally 
amiable  qualities,  and  is  gifted  with  enviable  pow- 
ers of  mind,  but,  unhappily,  in  early  life,  he  be- 
came a  spendthrift:  and  on  this  rock  the  fortunes 
of  himself  and  of  his  family  were  wrecked.  If 
you  should  ever  give  yourself  to  a  man  of  similar 
character,  you  need  not  be  disappointed  if  you 
should  experience  a  similar  destiny."* 

*  Daughter's  Own  Book 


MARKIAQK.  3^ 

Never  marry  an  inlempe.rate  mnn.  This  is  a 
precaution  that  young  ladies  cannot  be  toa  care- 
ful to  observe.  How  many,  by  noglecling  this 
admonition,  have  been  plunged  info  the  deepest 
misery  !  Of  all  the  evils  that  alHict  the  marriage 
state,  iriteiu}  erance  stands  in  the  front  rank.  It 
transforms  the  kind  and  loving  husband  into  a 
savage  brute — the  tender  and  affectionate  father 
into  an  unfeeling  tyrant.  Oh  !  how  much  evil, 
how  raufch  cfark,  cruel  wretchedness;,  has  been  car- 
ried into  the  happiest  fatnily  circles  by  intemper- 
ance! It  has  cast  the  miiciew  of  despair  upon 
the  fairest,  brightest  Iiones  of  life  !  It  has  caused 
shivering  poverty  to  creep  in,  with  its  rags,  its 
hunger,  and  want,  where  formerly  all  was  plenty, 
comfort,  and  peace.  What  must  be  the  Avreiched- 
ness  of  that  family  where  tlie  cheek  of  the  v/ife 
p;iies  with  fear,  and  the  children  flee  from  the 
house,  or  cling  tremblingly  to  the  mother  for  pro- 
tection, when  the  inebriated  husband  and  father 
reels  toward  his  miserable  home  !  In  the  phrensy 
of  intoxication,  he  beats  his  defenceless  and  heart- 
broken companion,  tramples  upon  his  innocent 
offspring,  and  dcnolihes  vfhatever  is  valuable 
within  his  reach,  unmindful  alike  of  tears,  and  en- 
treaties, and  supplications.  If  there  is  any  thing 
that  can  approacli  the  character  of  the  fabled  de- 
mon, it  is  man  in  th.e  wild  paroxysms  of  drunk- 
enness! 

Young  woman,  I  beg  yon,  listen  to  me  I  As 
you  vahie  your  peace  and  happiness — as  you  val- 


3S8  MAuniAGE. 

ue  respectul>iliiy  and  good  standing  in  commu- 
nity— form  a  firm,  uneiiaceable  determination,  in 
the  deep  rece«iscs  of  your  soul,  never,  never  lo 
become  the  companion  of  a  man  given  to  intem- 
perance !  Yea,  I  beseech  you  to  go  slill  farther, 
and  firmly  resolve  not  to  marry  a  man  who  is 
accustomed,  habitually,  to  drink  intoxicating  li- 
quors as  a  beverage,  of  any  character,  or  however 
temperately  or  discreetly  !  The  great  danger  is, 
you  have  no  assurance,  and  can  have  none,  that 
he  who  drinks  moderately  now,  will  not  hereafter 
become  involved  in  the  deepest  abyss  of  intem- 
perance. He  is  travelling  the  very  way,  and  the 
only  way,  that  leads  to  it — the  way  which  all  in- 
temperate men  pursued  in  their  downward  career. 
In  what  possible  manner  (except  by  total  abstin- 
ence) can  you  become  satisfied  that  he  will  not, 
ere  long,  be  one  among  their  wretched  number  ! 
You  should  not  accept,  nor  give  any  countenance 
to  the  addresses  of  a  ^'drinking"  young  man. 
Even  after  you  have  become  "  engaged,"  if  you 
ascertain  that  your  intended  companion  is  given 
to  habits  o{  intemperance,  you  would  be  justified 
by  every  equitable  law,  human  and  divine,  in  im- 
mediately dissolving  the  engagement.  But  I  can 
not  enlarge  upon  this  important  topic.  Young 
ladies  of  good  sense  must  perceive  that  their 
safety  and  happiness  demand  that  they  should 
avoid  all  connexion  with  men  of  intemperate  hab- 
its. Better,  infinitely  better,  remain  in  '-single 
blessedness"  all  your  days,  than  to  place  yourself 


MA.RRIAC5E.  889 

!jj  a  oondition  to  l>o  made  wretched  by  a  drunken 
husband  ! 

I  think  it  not  improper  or  unnecessary,  that 
young  ladies  should  take  into  consideration  the 
health  of  those  who  would  become  united  to 
them.  I  know  of  no  good  reason  why  a  young 
woman  should  be  (.-oimected  with  a  man  who, 
from  constitutional  causes,  is  or  probably  soon 
will  be  incapacitated  to  superintend  a  family. 
You  should  endeavor  to  exercise  proper  precau- 
tion upon  thi^  point.  It  is  true,  all  are  liable  to 
di-^ease,  and  itr,  unhappy  consequences ;  and  all 
I  would  caution  you  respecting  this  subject,  is,  to 
act  prudently  in  regard  to  placing  your  affections 
♦jpon  an  individual  who  is  laboring  under  a  con- 
stitulionai  and  incurable  disease,  which  would 
probably  be  transmitted  to  his  offspring.* 

In  selecting  a  husband,  you  should  not  be  too 
fastidious  in  regard  to  his  personal  beauty,  his  oc- 
cupation, or  the  amount  of  his  property.  These 
are  unimportant  circumstances,  provided  ail  other 
qualifications  abound.  He  may  be  plain  in  per- 
son, yet  beautitui  in  moral  and  mental  accom- 
plishments. He  may  be  poor  in  property  yet 
rich  in  affection,  kindness,  and  all  those  social 
qualifications  that  minister  so  highly  to  domestic 
happiness — and  as  to  the  want  of  property,  it  is 
an  evil  that  can,  in  general,  soon  be  removed  by 
industry  and  economy.     His  occupBtfon  may  be 

*  Sec  Corjh&B  Conftitutioii  of  Man. 
33* 


390  MANHIAGC. 

of  a  common  order,  but  if  it  is  proper  and  useful, 
it  will  not  lessen  your  respect  in  the  eyes  of  the 
enlightened  and  discreet. 

While  there  are  many  qualifications  that  would 
be  pleasing  in  a  husband,  there  are  some  indis- 
pensably requisite.  He  should  be  engaged  in 
some  laudable  occupation  or  profession — he 
should  be  industrious,  economical,  honest — of 
good  habits,  of  a  kind  and  benevolent  disposition, 
strictly  moral  and  temperate,  and  should  also 
possess  an  unwavering  belief  in  the  doctrines 
and  precepts  of  the  Gospel  of  Jesus  Christ.  He 
who  is  destitute  of  any  of  those  qualifications, 
should  be  avoided.  But  with  a  young  man  who 
possesses  these  characteristics,  you  may  rational- 
ly anticipate  a  happy  union,  and  a  life  of  as  much 
enjoyment  as  is  usually  allotted  to  mortals  in 
this  mutable  world. 

This  "Voice  to  the  Young"  now  ceases.  It 
its  tones  have,  in  any  degree,  enlightened  the 
minds  of  my  readers,  or  infused  a  virtuous  influ- 
ence into  their  hearts,  or  opened  their  eyes  to 
dangers  that  surround  them,  the  object  for  which 
is  has  been  sounded,  is  accomplished. 


APPENDIX 


THE    AMUSEMENTS    OF    YOUTH. 

BY    A.    B.    GROSH. 

"  Be  not  righteous  overmuch ;  neither  make  thyself 
overwise;  why  shouldstlhou  destroy  thyself?" 

EccLESiASTES  vii :  16. 

Dr.  Gerard,  one  of  the  best  Biblical  critics  of 
the  age,  informs  us  that  the  word  here  rendered 
*•  righteous,"  is  derived  from  an  Arabic  word  sig- 
nifying to  be  stiff,  inflexible,  inflexibly  straight. — 
Hence  it  is  used  in  a  secondary  or  metaphorical 
sense,  to  denote  being  just  or  true — and  this  is  a 
very  common  use  of  the  term  in  the  Hebrew.  But 
such,  he  informs  us,  is  not  the  sense  in  our  text — 
here  it  has  the  primitive  meaning.  Our  transla- 
tors erred,  probably  in  supposing  the  16th  and  17th 
verses  to  be  antitheses — whereas  they  are  parallel- 
isms, as  is  evident  by  the  same  conclusion  in  each. 
Hence  *' too  rigid"  or  "inflexible  over-much,"  in 
the  16th  verse,  is  equivalent  to  "  over-much  wick- 
ed" in  the  17th  verse  ;  and  "  over-wise,"  or  wise 
in  your  own  conceit,  as  is  the  meaning  of  the  term, 
in  the  16th,  is  equivalent  to  "  folly"  in  the  17th 
verse.  The  consequences  in  both  verses  are  the 
same — in  the  16th  verse  "  destruction ;"  in  the 
17th,  "  untimely  death."  It  forms,  in  fact,  a  dou- 
ble parallelism,  where,  though  the  sense  is  twice 
repeated,  yet  the  language  is  each  time  varied,  and 

393 


304  AMUShMl.NTS    <ir     YoLTlI- 

ihe  ronsf(]ucncos  aro  the  satne — "  15''  not  over- 
much  rigiil ;  ueitlier  ronder  rliysolf  :i^  one  m  i<e  in 
Ins  own  conceit;  wliy  slioiiMst  thou  destroy  thy- 
self? Be  mt  oveiinuch  wicked,  or  obstinate  ; 
neither  be  thou  foolish  ;  why  shouldst  thou  die  be- 
fore thy  time  ?" 

In  this  view,  how  full  of  v/isdoni  is  our  text — and 
how  applicable  is  it  to  the  subject  before  us,  the 
amusements  of  Youth !  Our  text  points  out  to  you, 
in  the  voice  of  experience  and  wisdom,  that  happy 
medium  path,  wherein  are  combined  pleasure  and 
usefulness — and  where  while  life  may  be  prolong- 
ed, it  ma}'  also  be  Irul}'  enjo3'ed.  Be  not  too  rigid, 
neither  be  over  wise — be  not  too  wicked,  neither 
be  foolish — both  are  injurious  to,  and  destructive  of 
health,  and  life,  and  enjo\'ment — both  arc  opposed 
lothe  wisdom  of  mankind,  and  the  teachings  of  na- 
ture. Ascetic  gravity  and  puritanic  severity  are 
frequently  the  regulators  of  3'our  amusements — 
made  so  by  those  who  profess  an  especial  regard 
for  your  spiritual  welfare,  t  know  it — and  I  know, 
also  that  their  higlt-toned,  unnatural,  yet  well- 
meaning  endeavors  may  have  made  3'cu  jealous 
of  clerical  advice  and  "instruction  on  the  subject — 
and  perhaps,  regardless  of,  or  at  least  prejudiced 
against  all  restraint  which  may  be  recommended 
from  that  quarter.  But  let  me  rend  away  the  veil 
of  your  prejudices  from  before  3'our  mental  vision, 
that  your  reason  with  clear  unclouded  siglif,  may 
examine  what  I  have  to  offer  for  your  consideration. 
With  you  I  freel}'  condemn  the  severe  and  gloomy 
interference — I  consider  it  wrong  and  injurious. 

] .  Becau33  opposed  to  the  requirement?  of  nature. 
There  are  always  some  parts  of  the  physical  frame 
in  motion — action  of  some  kind,  always  denotes  in 
them  the  presence  of  Vik,  while  life  continues  to 
animate  the  body.  So,  in  nil  probability  there  are, 
facultip.'=:of  the  mind  which  never  totailv  cense  their 


AMaSEMfc;NT3    OF    YOUTH.  39j 

operation  short  of  death,  even  if  then.  Hence  it 
has  been  said  that  rest  is  merely  a  change  of  ac- 
tion. When  one  portion  of  the  muscles  liave  been 
long  exerted,  they  may  be  relieved  by  exerting  an- 
other portion.  And  this  change  of  exertion  is  call- 
ed rett.  With  equal  propriety  we  may  say,  that 
amusements  are  merely  a  change  of  employments, 
\vhen  one  portion  or  faculty  of  the  mind  has  been 
long  exerted,  the  mental  powers  may  be  rested  by 
calling  another  faculty  to  the  labor  of  thought  or 
exercise.  This  will  afford  what  we  term  amuse- 
ment of  the  mind.  Without  amusement,  the  mind 
must  as  certainly  fall  into  apathy  and  ruin,  as  the 
body  must  sink  weakened  and  ruined  under  inces- 
sant labor  and  fatigue. 

2.  I  consider  undue  restraint  and  severity,  wrong, 
because  it  has  driven  youth  from  before  the  guar- 
dian eye  of  parents  and  instructors,  to  the  secret 
assignation  for  sport,  and  there  left  it  to  itsown  hasty 
and  unguarded  impulses  and  suggestions.  Nature 
will  have  its  way— it  can  no  more  be  restrained  in 
playful  youth,  than  in  the  descending  rivulets  that 
roll  th2ir  crystal  currents  from  the  hills.  Debar  it 
from  innocent  amusements  in  the  presence  of  the 
aged,  and,  most  probably,  you  drive  it  to  criminal 
excesses  as  soon  as  the  parental  eye  is  withdrawn 
from  it. 

3.  I  condemn  excessive  rigidity,  because  it  wea- 
kens the  affection  of  youth  for  parents — their  re- 
spect for  age,  and  their  veneration  for  religion.  De- 
barred from  all  the  amusements  which  the  impulses 
of  nature  demand,  they  fret  against  the  parental 
government— consider  it  cold  andunfeeling-^want- 
ing  in  affection  towards  them,  and  seeking  rather 
their  obedience  to  dull  precepts  and  a  dry  morality, 
than  their  happiness  and  love.  It  becomes  un- 
lovely in  their  sight,  aad  is  their  a^^ersion  rather 
ih&n  their  joy. 


396  AMUSEMENTS    OF    YOUTH. 

And  as  with  the  paternal,  so  with  the  divine  go- 
vernment. Believing,  as  they  are  taught,  that  God 
and  his  religion,  virtue  and  its  morality,  all  com- 
bine in  forbidding  what  gives  them  so  much  plea- 
sure and  joy — bow  can  they  love  either  ? — how 
consider  either  otherwise  than  as  opposed  to  human 
felicity  ?  Even  heaven  itself — the  name  for  all 
the  purity  and  peace,  the  holiness  and  happiness 
which  the  mind  of  man  can  possibly  conceive — 
even  heaven  is  thus  early  impressed  on  the  mind  as 
a  large,  spacious,  and  splendid  place,  filled  with  a 
cold  light  and  a  chilling  atmosphere,  where  people 
will  look  gloomily  happy,  and  sighingly  blest,  and 
spend  eternhy  in  singing  dull,  slow  music,  with 
long  faces  and  up-turned  eyes.  Ridiculous  as  the 
picture  may  seem,  I  believe  you  all  have  felt  the 
truth  of  its  coloring  in  your  own  minds,  and  have 
almost  shuddered  in  dread,  as  you  wished  that,  ul- 
timately, that  happy  place,  (happy  only  because 
hell  was  not  there)  might  be  your  everlasting 
home ! 

Believing  such  to  be  the  effects  of  being  "right- 
eous over-much"  in  regard  to  your  amusements,  I 
can  do  no  less  than  oppose  sach  undue  and  injurious 
severity.  But,  my  youthful  brethren  and  sisters, 
there  Ts  another  extreme  to  which  in  many  cases, 
this  one  hath  driven  many,  and  which  I  feel 
equally  bound  to  censure  and  oppose.  I  heartily 
unite,  not  only  with  the  puritanic  and  pharisaic, 
but  with  every  lover  of  man — every  admirer  of  in- 
nocence and  virtue,  and  every  friend  to  youth,  its 
pleasures  and  enjoyments — in  condemning  every 
pleasure,  so  called,  which  is  injurious  to  your 
morality  and  usefulness.  "Be  not  inflexible  over- 
much ;  neither  make  yourself  over-wise  ;  why 
shouldst  thou  destroy  thyself?" 

Do  not,  then,  I  beseech  you — do  not,  by  your 
Uiseipation  and  excess,  bind  in  shame  and  grief  th« 


AMUSEMENTS    OF    YOUTH.  397 

advocates  for  youthful  amusements,  and  give  the 
triumph  to  your  ascetic  and  puritanic  opposers. — 
You  will  find  this  extreme  very  pernicious  to  health 
and  happiness — to  individual  enjoyment  and  the 
general  welfare.  You  will  find  all  amusements 
which  mend  not  the  heart  nor  store  the  mind — 
which  improve  not  the  temper  nor  invigorate  the 
frame — the  worst  foes  that  can  beset  you  through 
life — foes  to  industry  and  order,  health,  wealth,  and 
genuine  happiness.  They  predispose  your  tastes 
and  inclinations  to  idleness,  dissipation,  and  intem- 
perance of  every  kind;  and,  even  if  you  can  avoid 
these  results,  they  enervate  the  mind,  and  vitiate 
the  aftections,  and  most  generall3''  enfeeble  the  bo- 
dily powers.  And,  lastly,  by  indulgence  in  these — 
by  the  crime  and  misery  of  which  they  have  been 
the  fruitful  cause — the  sternly  virluous  have  been 
led  to  condemn,  with  indiscriminate  severity,  all 
amusements  and  recreations.  Thus,  by  abusing 
what  they  had,  the  youth  have  lost  all — thus  the 
harmless  has  been  banished  with  the  injurious  and 
thus  have  the  innocent  frequently  suffered  for  the 
misdeeds  of  the  guiky,  and  future  generations  for 
the  indiscretions  of  their  forefathers. 

Having  by  these  general  remarks  and  exceptions, 
paved  the  way  for  a  proper  understanding  of  my 
meaning,  wiih  regard  to  the  particular  portions  of 
my  subject,  I  design, 

I.  To  consider  the  projmety  of,  and  offer  a  few 
remarks  on,  amusements  for  your  imvaie  hours. — 
Though  man  is  evidently  a  social  and  a  dependent 
being,  yet  there  are  times  when  company  is  not  to 
be  procured  or  desired,  and  when,  consequently, 
man  must  depend  on  his  own  resources  and  pow- 
ers. A  mind  well  stored  with  knowledge  of  a  gen- 
eral and  varied  cast,  and  well  habituated  to  thought, 
is  a  main  requisite  in  such  situations  ;  not  perhaps 
as  amusement  in  itself,  but  as  a  relish  to  all  other 
34 


308  AMUSEMENTS  01-    YOUTH. 

amusements.  You  will  remember  that  I  consider 
amusement  merely  as  a  chauge  of  employments — 
not  any  change,  but  a  judicious  and  pleasing 
change — and,  conse(juently,  I  can  not  so  well  si)e- 
cify,  as  lay  down  a  few  general  rules  to  guide  you 
in  your  own  selection  of  them. 

As  the  avocaiifms  oi  men  vary,  thuir  private 
amusements  should  generally  vary  also.  Their 
recreations  especially,  and  all  their  amusements 
referable  to  health,  should  be  of  a  nature  material- 
ly different  from  the  labors  wliieh  preceded,  and 
which  are  to  succeed  them — otherwise  they  will 
be  but  a  continuation,  rather  ilian  a  relaxation  of 
their  toil.  But,  at  the  same  time,  they  should  not 
differ  so  widely  as  to  render  a  recurrence  to  labor 
either  unpleasant  or  diflicult.  I  will  illustrate  by 
an  example.  The  student,  weary  with  much  stu- 
dy at  his  desk — or  the  painter  at  his  easel — will 
find  a  stroll  into  the  opon  air,  and  reflections  on  the 
beauties  of  nature,  the  most  agreeable,  refreshing, 
and  useful  amusements.  While  it  relaxes  the 
mind  from  past  labors,  i;  also  very  pleasantly  pre- 
pares its  powers  for  a  renewal  of  them.  During  a 
long  course  of  composition  with  the  pen,  reading  a 
lively  and  appropriate  author,  will,  in  like  manner, 
be  found  pleasing  and  useful,  so  far  as  the  mind 
alone  is  concerned.     And  so,  vice  versa. 

Your  amusements,  also,  when  a  feeble  constitu- 
tion, or  delicate  health  indicates  the  propriety  of 
the  measure,  should  be  selected  with  a  reference  to 
bodily  health,  as  well  as  mental  relaxation.  Se- 
dentary labors  require  to  be  followed  by  amuse- 
ments involving  considerable  bodily  exercise.  On 
the  other  hand,  those  engaged  in  laborious  and  ac- 
tive" employments,  recjuire  more  easy  and  quiet 
amusements  for  their  leisure  hours.  If  the  student, 
pale-faced  with  watching  and  thought — and  the 
hard  son  of  toil,  embrowned  beneath  a  Summer 


AMUSEMENTS  OF  YOUTH. 


969 


sun,  could  agree  occasionally  to  exchange  avoca- 
tions, both  might  be  gainers  by  it — the  one  might 
labor,  and  the  other  study,  and  find  not  only  plea- 
sure but  health,  by  converting  labor  into  amuse- 
ment. If  authority  be  wanting  in  favor  of  this  re- 
commendation, I  give  vou  not  only  the  name  of 
the  humcme  and  gifted  Ru.sh,  but  of  every  medical 
man  whose  opinions  I  have  ever  read  on  the  sub- 
ject. The  excellent  works  of  Dr.  A.  Combe  on 
Health  and  Education,  and  of  George  Combe,  Esq., 
on  the  Constitution  of  Man,  will  furnish  much  val- 
uable instruction  on  these  subjects.  To  these 
might  be  added  Dr.  Caldwell  on  Physical  Educa- 
tion, and  Dr.  Brigham  on  the  Influence  of  Mental 
Excitementand  Mental  Cultivation  on  the  Health — 
all  very  excellent  works,  and  v/ell  worth  their 
weight  in  gold.  Combine,  then,  if  3^ou  value  plea- 
sure and  health — combine  your  amusements  with 
your  labors,  so  that  what  you  lose  by  the  one,  you 
can  gain  in  the  pursuit  of  the  other — thus  convert- 
ing toil  into  amusement,  and  making  amusement 
useful. 

For  those  brief  intervals  of  leisure,  which  so  fre- 
quently occur  in  domestic  life — particularly  female 
domestic  life — and  when  the  elements  without 
confine  you  to  the  house,  there  is  another  class  of 
amusements.  Poetry,  music,  light  reading,  and  a 
thousand  nameless  little  domestic  matters  of  inge- 
nuity and  usefulness,  are  embraced  in  this  class  of 
emplo^anents.  All  of  these  rightly  used,  will  ele- 
vate the  mind  and  affections,  purify  ^the  heart,  and 
fill  the  soul  with  generous  enthusiasm,  while  they 
store  the  memory  with  a  richness  of  thought  and 
language,  which  will  render  interesting  to  others 
every  communication  you  may  make.  Music, 
vocal  music  in  particular,  is  a  healthful  exercise 
for  the  lungs,  and  is  highly  recommended  by  medi- 
cal men  as  an  amusement  for  those  predisposed. 


400  AMUSEMENTS    OF    YOUTH. 

by  constitution  or  employments,  to  pulmonary 
complaints.  Nearly  all  our  females  are  embra- 
ced in  iliis  class.  You  will  not,  lliorefore,  deem 
me  out  of  character  in  pressiuir  it  and  reading 
aloud,  a  similarly  healthful  employment,  on  your 
attention — })articularly  as  the  former  is  so  pleasing, 
I  bad  almost  said  necessary  a  part  of  social  worship. 
The  eflects  of  music  on  the  mind  and  ailections, 
can  only  be  duly  aj)preeiated  by  those  who  have 
had  the  gloom  of  life  dissipated  by  it,  and  the  de- 
sponding soul  converted  into  a  temple  of  melody 
and  peace,  under  its  cheering  and  softening  power. 
I  would  urge  on  you,  then,  the  cultivation  of  all  the 
musical  talent  you  possess,  so  far  as  you  can  do  it 
without  neglecting  your  duties  to  others  ;  assuring 
you  that  it  will  unfold  to  you  new  sources  of  beauty 
in  every  department  of  nature.     For 

"There's  music  in  the  forest  loaves! 
When  Summer  winds  arc  there." 

***** 
"  The  first  wild  bird  that  drinks  the  dew, 
From  violets  of  the  Spring, 
Hath  music  in  his  soug,  and  in 
The  Jluitering  ofldsw'iag." 

"  Yop,  ail  I've  dreamed  of,  bright  and  fair, 

Is  but  embodied  sound  ; 
Music  is  floating  ou  the  air, 
In  every  thing  around. 
All  nature  hath  of  breezy  grace, 
In  motion  swift  and  free — 
Each  lovely  hue  upon  her  face, 
Is  LIVING  melody." 

Can  it  be  possible  that  your  leisure  hours  will  be 
destitute  of  happiness  and  interest,  if  your  com- 
munings are  filled  up  with  the  light,  and  your  souls 
overflowed  with  the  spirit  of  music  that  imbued  the 
hearts  which  gushed  with  the  melody  of  the  senti- 
ment I  have  just  recited  ? 


AMUSEMENTS    OF    YOUTH.  401 

You  will  observe,  that  though  I  allow  hours  bj^ 
Jiours  for  agreeable,  and  innocent,  and  useful 
.amusements  intermingled  with  your  toils,  priva- 
.tions,  and  labors,  yet  I  do  not  willingly  admit  in 
<the  list  of  life,  one  minute  of  idleness.  No,  my 
young  friends,  Ltoo  deeply  have  felt  its  rust  gnaw 
into  my  own  soul,  and  canker  my  own  peace,  ever 
to  wish  others  to  indulge  in  it.  Pv-ely  on  it,  that  ac- 
tivity of  mind  and  body — ever  varying  employment 
and  exercise — is  the  best  amusement  of  life — the 
best  panacea  for  the  ills  that  flesh  is  heir  to — the 
best  preparative  for  usefnlness,  and  the  only  true 
source  of  happiness  as  puie  as  man  can  enjoy. 
Nearly  all  of  these  foregoing  remarks,  though  ap- 
plied now  to  private  and  individual  amusements 
only,  will  nevertheless  apply  with  nearly  equal 
propriety  and  force  to 

II.  Social  and  puhlic  amusements  and  recrea- 
tions.— These,  from  their  very  nature,  can  not  be 
exclusive  or  selfish,  but  should  be  indulged  in  for 
the  sole  purpose  of  enjoying  your.'<elves,  by  promo- 
ting the  pleasure  of  others.  You  will  find  them 
requiring  the  best  powers  of  the  mind,  and  the 
-best  feelings  of  the  heart — for  it  is  no  easy  matter 
to  render  them  what  they  should  be,  unless  you 
characterize  them,  in  a  good  degree,  by  intelligence 
.and  affection.  And  as  a  loverof  human  happiness, 
I  rejoice  to  witness  the  increasing  intellectuality 
and  refinement  of  amusements  generally — to  see 
childish  puerility,  and  foppish  display,  and  empty 
form,  give  place  to  solid  amusement,  useful  recrea- 
tion, heartfelt  comfort,  affection  and  courtesy. — 
Even  the  plays  for  childjen  are  becoming  rife  with 
instruction,  and  are  preparing  them  for  futur^e  use- 
fulness, by  storing  the  mind  with  pleasing  informa- 
tion. How  important,  then,  that  you  maintain 
your  dignity,  by  a  corresponding  advancement  in 
your  pleasures  and  employments.  Public  opinion. 
34* 


402  AMUSEMENTS    OP    YOUTH. 

generally,  now  unites  with  the  intelligent  mind,  the 
uncorrupted  heart,  and  the  pure  taste,  in  condemn- 
ing as  criminal  dissipation,  a  waste  of  time  in  public 
amusements  and  social  recreations.  If,  (hen,  you 
would  not  only  retain  the  approbation  of  your  own 
conscience,  but  also  gain  ibat  of  public  opinion,  in- 
dulge not  in  amusements  merely  to  2)ass  away  time 
but  to  improve  it  by  diflusing  happiness,  and  thus 
store  the  future  with  agreeable  reflections.  Neither 
make  them  a  business,  but  a  relaxation  from  the 
business  of  life — for  in  this  alone  consists  all  their 
value,  and  all  their  enjoyment. 

The  ]nan  or  woman  who  seeks  happiness  in  a 
continual  round  of  amusements,  and  expects  enjoy- 
ment in  a  crowd,  will  find  that  they  have  widely 
erred  from  their  own  peace,  and  mistaken  the  ob- 
jects and  effects  of  relaxation.  "  Too  much  honey 
is  gall,"  says  the  old  proverb — and  "the  full  soul 
loatheth  an  honey-cornb,"  is  the  testimony  of  Holy 
Writ — and  such  will  find  that  too  much  pleasure 
(so  called)  is  a  weariness  greater  than  toil,  and  that 
long  continued  recreation  is  the  severest  drudgery. 
But  the  effectsdo  not  end  here.  The  natural  con- 
sequence of  dissipation  of  even/  hind,  is  to  create 
in  the  minds  of  its  votaries,  a  dislike  to  business,  a 
distaste  for  study,  and  a  disrelish  for  privacy,  which 
prevents  a  recurrence  to  former  pleasing  habits, 
and  renders  them  embittered,  wretched,  and  useless 
members  of  society.  Thus  fixed  in  the  heart,  the 
ever  rankling  barb  drives  them  from  pleasure  to 
pleasure,  in  a  vain  pursuit — for  they  cavry  with  them 
the  destroyer  of  their  own  peace,  wherever  they  go. 
A  few  brief  arguments  will  be  sufficient  to  satisfy 
you  that  such  a  result  is  the  necessary  consequence 
of  an  excessive  indulgence  in  amusements. 

First :  As  to  your  capacity  to  ©njoy.  Man  is 
but  a  very  limited  being  in  all  his  powers  and  fa- 
culties.    His  capacity  is  soon  and  easily  filled. 


AMUSEMENTS    OF    YOUTH.  403 

Satiety,  then,  as  surely  follows,  as  that  appetite 
will  cease  when  the  stomach  is  filled  with  suste- 
nance. In  vain  does  the  epicure  try  dish  after 
dish — all  the  variety  he  can  procure,  administers  no 
pleasure  to  his  sated  appetite,  for  his  capacity  is 
filled.  So  with  amusements.  The  capacity  is 
soon  filled — the  novelty  soon  wears  away — and  va- 
liety  is  sought  in  vain  ;  for  happiness  can  be  pro- 
cured only  by  an  abstinence  which  shall  renew  the 
appetite  necessary  to  their  enjoyment. 

Second  :  Your  powers  of  pleasing  are  but  limit- 
ed, in  common  with  all  oar  race.  Take  the  most 
witty,  entertaining,  and  well-informed  person  in 
the  circle  of  your  acquaintance,  and  put  him  to  the 
task  of  amusing  a  company,  and  a  very  few  hours 
will  convince  3^ou  that  even  he,  a  master  of  the  art, 
is  failing  in  his  exertions,  and  becoming  exhausted 
with  his  labors.  And  can  you  expect  long  to  suc- 
ceed with  your  very  limited  powers,  where  he, 
with  his  capacious  ones,  has  failed  ?  If  you  can, 
you  can  expect  impossibilities.  Have  you  never 
seen  a  company  thus  situated — their  powers  ex- 
hausted, and  their  capacities  filled — sated  with 
amusement,  and  their  abilities  wearied  ?  Can  you 
imagine  a  more  hopeless  task  than  to  amuse  or  be 
amused  in  their  circle?  As  a  general  infallible 
rule,  then,  and  as  you  would  have  amusements  and 
recreations  minister  to  your  enjoyment,  never  seek 
them  until  labor,  mental  or  bodily,  has  rendered 
them  necessary  to  you.  In  this  way,  only,  can 
they  be  rendered  beneficial  or  pleasant  to  you. 
Then,  if  you  would  have  them  continue  pleasant, 
and  to  answer  their  object  in  preparing  you  for  suc- 
ceeding labors,  never  continue  at  them  after  you 
have  been  fully  refreshed  by  them,  and  feel  them 
begin  to  pall  on  your  sense  of  enjoyment.  As  of  the 
pleasure  of  the  taste,  so  would  I  say  of  the  amuse- 
ments and  pleasures — labor  is  necessary  to  enable 


401  AMUSEMENTS    OF    VOUTII. 

»is  to  relisli  them  ;  modoration,  to  use  tliem,  and 
■lempcraiK'c,  lo  friily  enjoy  them. 

Before  I  quit  tlie  subject  of  social  recreat-ions  nnd 
public  amusements,  permit  me  to  raise  a  warnins; 
voice  against  the  pernicious  tendency  of  some,  ex- 
■cessive  indulgence  in  many,  and  the  abuse  of 
•others.  Those  which  are  dangerous  in  their  ten- 
dency, by  familiarizing  your  minds  to  the  scenes 
and  instruments  of  vice  and  villainy,  as  games  of 
hazard  in  general,  you  had  better  shun  altogether. 
Those  which  are  apt  to  l^e  rendered  injurious  by  an 
immoderate  indulgence  in  them,  had  better  be 
avoided,  until  a  course  of  self-deninl  shall  have 
given  energy  lo  the  will,  and  strength  to  the  reso- 
lution, when  they  may  be  indulged  in  with  safety, 
within  the  proper  and  determinate  boundaries. 

To  illustrate.  In  very  early  youth  your  speaker 
became  fond  of  reading.  Undirected  how  and 
Nvhat  to  choose,  I  eagerly  read  every  thing  that 
•€ame  Into  my  hands.  In  a  short  time,  indulgence 
<3eclded  my  taste  for  reading  legends,  novels,  and 
fictitious  narratives  of  every  kind.  My  love  of 
reading  increased  to  a  perfect  passion,  and  often 
rendered  me  deaf,  blind,  and  dumb  to  all  around 
me.  It  became  necessary  for  my  parents  to  inter- 
fere. After  reading  a  novel  or  tale  half  through, 
and  becoming  passionately  interested  in.  its  details, 
yny  father  would  take  it  from  me,  and  prevent  my 
reading  it,  in  some  cases,  for  mrmths.  I  was  made 
sensible  of  his  kindness,  and  of  the  propriety  of  his 
conduct,  and  after  a  short  time  acquired  sufficient 
resolution  to  practice  liis  system  on  myself-  Two 
very  interesting  works  that  I  then  read  half  through, 
T  never  yet  have  finished — and  never  since  then, 
has  my  resolution  faltered  when  it  became  neces- 
sary to  lay  aside  an  interesting  book. 

Trifling  as  this  incident  may  appear  to  you,  it 
has  been  important  to  me,  and  I  would  that  I  had 


AMUSEMENTS    OF    YOUTH.  405 

been  wise  enough  to  have  profited  by  it  in  other 
practices  than  reading.  May  it  teach  you  the  be- 
nefits of  restraining  your  immoderate  desires  t'or 
amusement,  and  lead  you  early  to  discipline  your 
resolutions  to  fortitude  and  perseverance.  As  read- 
ing may  thus  be  perverted  from  a  benefit  to  an  in- 
jury, so  may  many  other  amusements  and  recrea- 
tions. Make,  then,  necessity  the  rule  for  applying 
to  them  for  relaxation — and  henejit,  not  merely 
pleasure  or  desire,  the  ride  for  prolonging  ihe  dura- 
tion of  the  enjoyments  they  may  yield. 

III.  Let  us  now  consider  the  temper  and  dispo- 
sition which,  only,  can  make  all  your  atunsements 
2')leasant  and  useful.  In  the  great  flow  of  animal 
spirits  and  generousenthusiasm  which  social  amuse- 
ments naturally  excite,  you  will  find  an  ungoverna- 
ble and  uncontrollable  temper  the  most  fruitful 
source  of  destruction  to  all  peace  and  enjoyment, 
in  yourself  and  others.  If  sympathy,  that  mental 
electricity  of  intelligent  creation,  can  render  us  mise- 
rable in  others'  miseries,  and  happy  in  their  joys, 
then  the  surest  way  of  being  pleased  ourselves,  is 
to  please  others.  To  govern  and  control  your  en- 
thusiasm, and  keep  the  temper  regulated  by  it 
within  proper  bounds,  remember  this  infallible  rule 
for  enjoyment.  Enter  into  the  social  circle  with  a 
determination  to  increase  and  promote  its  enjoy- 
ments, even  at  the  expense  of  your  own  ease,  and 
the  sacrifice  of  your  own  desires. 

Reflect  that  the  mode  of  innocent  enjoyment  can 
not  be  a  matter  of  importance — that  any  difference 
of  opinion  on  the  subject,  must  appear  very  trifling, 
if  not  ridiculous,  in  a  few  weeks  or  months  after  it 
occurs — and  that  it  is  not  only  foolish,  but  idc'kcd  to 
destroy  your  own  and  others'  peace  merely  to  es- 
tablish your  superior  wisdom  in  trifles.  Besides, 
others  will  contend  for  their  opinions  and  plans, 
also — words  will  grow  into  strife,  strife  to  wrath, 


4<)6  AMUSEMENTS    OF    YOUTH. 

and  wrath  to  tlestruction.  We  can  not  be  happy 
and  displeased  at  the  same  time — we  can  not  har- 
bor ])eace  and  wrath  in  the  same  bosom — as  well 
might  we  aitemi)t  to  serve  both  God  and  mammon 
in  e(jual  sincerity  and  truth.  And  can  you  hesitate 
as  to  which  you  will  choose  ?  No !  Enter  into  all 
amusements  with  a  determination  to  please,  and 
tlius  to  be  pleased — make  your  temper  pliant  as 
the  waving  willow,  which,  by  yielding  before  the 
opposing  winds,  saves  itself  from  loss  of  verdure 
and  destruction,  and  rises  again  in  majesty  when 
the  wrath  of  the  storm  has  passed  over  it. 

"  The  wildest  ills  that  darken  life, 

Are  rapture  to  the  bosom's  strife  ; 

The  tempest  in  its  blackest  form, 

Is  beauty  to  the  bosom's  storm ; 

The  ocean  lashed  to  fury  loud, 

Its  high  wave  mingling  with  the  cloud, 

Is  peaceful,  sweet  serenity 

To  anger's  dark  and  stormy  sea." 

For  your  own  sakes,  then,  as  well  as  for  the  sake 
of  all  associated  with  you,  permit  me  to  urge  on 
your  attention  the  cultivation  of  humility  tempered 
with  dignity,  and  the  courtesy  arising  from  affec- 
tion ;  you  will  ever  find  it  the  best  preparation  to 
impart  pleasure  to  others,  and  receive  it  fiom  them 
again,  in  return.  Pride  and  discourtesy  mark  the 
selfish  man — and  the  cold  and  selfish  man  can  not 
be  happy.  Besides,  the  religion  3^ou  profess  is  not 
a  religion  of  gloom  and  haughtiness — of  discomfort 
and  sadness — of  exclusion  and  partiality.  Why, 
then,  should  your  amusements  be  such — why 
should  your  lives  bear  such  impress?  Let,  then, 
all  your  amusements  be  characterized  by  freedom 
and  innocence — let  them  be  joyous  amid  propriety 
— let  them  be  but  minor  instruments  for  promoting 
your  usefulness  and  happiness,  and  let  them  em- 
brace, not  only  your  own  pleasure  and  benefit,  but 


AMUSEMENTS    OF    YOUTH.  407 

that  of  all  within  the  circle  of  your  affections  and 
influence.  And  may  that  great  and  good  Father 
of  our  spirits,  who  has  wisely  blessed  you  with 
abilities  to  labor  in  the  great  held  of  human  virtue 
and  improvement,  and  implanted  in  your  tender 
frames  the  upspringing  impulses  that  lead  you  to 
alternate  labor  and  rest — toil  and  amusement — 
keep  your  minds  and  your  hearts  pure,  and  crown 
you  with  all  the  real  pleasures  of  this  life,  and  the 
joys  of  immortality  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord- 
Amen. 


THE    DUTIES    OF     yOUTH. 

BY     A.     B.     GROSH. 

"  My  son,  forget  not  my  law,  but  let  ihine  heart  keep 
my  comnsiandments  :  for  length  of  days,  and  long  life, 
and  peace  shall  they  add  unto  thee." 

Proverbs  iii :  1,2. 

Youth  lias  been  compared  to  Spring.  Both 
have  very  appropriately  been  termed  the  season  of 
hope.  And  v/hat  beautiful  emblems  are  they  both 
of  this  animating  and  cheering  atmosphere  of  the 
soul !  How  excellently  is  hope  i)ictured  to  the 
eye- — personified  and  materialized — made  living 
and  visible  by  the  freshness,  hilarity,  and  exulting 
joyousness  of  youth;  b}'' the  budding  glories,  and 
flowery  fragrance,  and  springing  verdure  of  Spring ! 

But  if  Spring  give  not  her  blossoms,  Summer 
will  be  shorn  of  its  glory,  and  Autumn  deprived  of 
its  fruit — if  the  golden  seed  be  not  sown — if  the 
germ  appear  not  above  the  earth  in  tlie  infancy  of 
the  year,  where  shall  the  husbandman  seek  his 
stores  of  provision  against  wintry  cold  and  hungry 
want?  So,  if  youth  jnakes  no  improvement,  ma- 
lurer  age  will  be  overladen  in  work,  or  barren  in 
intellect  and  utility,  and  old  age  will  lack  respect, 
or  be  drear  in  ha})piness. 

Among  the  many  considerations  which  press  on 
the  mind  in  such  reflections,  permit  me  to  urge  on 
your  attention, 

I.  The  importance  of  acquiring  correct  moral 
aiid  religious  jninciples. 


DUTIES  OF  YOUTH.  409 

These  exert  not  only  a  powerful,  but  an  abiding 
influence  on  our  affections  and  understandings,  and 
through  them,  on  all  our  thoughts  and  actions. 

Morality  and  religion — I  mean  the  pure  religion 
of  the  Gospel  of  Jesus — are  so  closely  and  intimate- 
ly allied,  that  I  would  say  of  them  as  of  the  hus- 
band and  wife,  "What  God  hath  joined  together, 
let  not  man  put  asunder."  He  who  separates 
them,  takes  from  religion  its  body — its  sensible  man- 
ifestation to  the  sons  of  humanity — and  robs  morality 
of  its  soul — the  living  spirit  and  active  principle  of 
its  goodness  and  virtue — sunders  soul  and  bod}^  and 
deprives  both  of  an  earthly  existence,  habitation, 
and  name.  This  will  be  more  apparent  when  we 
consider  the  natural  effects  of  both  on  man  in  the 
individual  and  social  state. 

Sweeping  the  illimitable  universe  with  the 
wings  of  thought — collecting  in  one  focus  all  that  is 
wonderful,  and  great,  and  good  in  the  knowledge 
and  experience  of  man,  and  recognizing  therein  the 
still  greater  and  more  glorious  God,  their  author 
and  giver — how  can  it  be  that  religion  will  not  lib- 
erate and  expand,  exercise  and  invigorate  all  our 
faculties  of  thought  and  powers  of  action.  And 
embracing,  as  it  does,  the  highest,  and  greatest,  and 
best  Being  in  that  universe — the  fountain  of  all  in- 
telligence and  the  chief  good  of  all  goodness — as  the 
object  and  end  of  all  contemplation,  adoration,  and 
love — how  must  it  swell  the  affections  with  trans- 
port, and  fill  the  heart  with  virtue  ! 

And  mark,  also,  its  wonderful  adaptation  to  the 
capacities  for  which  it  is  designed.  The  child  and 
the  adult,  the  prince  and  the  peasant,  the  philoso- 
pher and  the  unlearned,  all  alike  may  here  find 
food  for  reflection,  motives  to  goodness,  and  reasons 
for  equal  praise,  gratitude,  and  love.  And  thus, 
not  only  does  the  understanding  expand  into  an  in- 
finitude of  loveliness,  utility,  and  happiness ;  but 
35 


410  DUTIES  OF  Youth. 

under  its  oiunipotent  swciy  and  benevolent  energy, 
the  artcclions  also  become  spiritualized,  and  each, 
like  a  ministering  angel,  goes  forth  among  the  chil- 
dren of  men,  bearing  blessings  of  peace  on  its  lips, 
and  shaking  from  its  downy  pinions  the  felicity  of 
heaven. 

Do  you  not  all  admit  that  superior  intelligence 
combined  with  superior  virtue,  confers  greater  hap- 
piness— that  among  the  beatified  myriads  around 
the  throne  of  God,  greater  happiness  prevails  than 
on  earth,  because  there  greater  knowledge  and  su- 
perior goodness  obtains  /  Admit  this,  and  admit 
what,  also,  I  think  you  will  not  deny,  that  religion 
does  expand  and  purify  the  understanding  and  the 
heart,  and  you  thereby  admit  religion  to  be  a  chief 
good  of  life — the  proper  fountain  of  happiness — 
whose  effects  on  your  hearts  and  understandings  are 
worth  seeking  after,  because  worth  being  possessed. 

But  I  would  not  have  you  engage  in  the  pursuit 
of  religion  and  morality  for  their  effects  on  your- 
selves alone,  though  even  in  an  individual  i)oint  of 
view,  the  motives  are  amply  sufficient.  By  your 
exertions  and  influence,  these  happy  effects  can  be 
made  to  pervade,  and  perhaps  ultimately  to  revolu- 
tionize the  circle  of  society  in  which  you  move. 
How  few  are  there,  even  among  the  most  brutal, 
that  will  dare  to  utter  an  immodest  expression 
among  the  chaste,  or  a  profane  one  among  the  rever- 
ent, or  get  drunken  among  the  sober.  Even  this 
influence  may  you  have,  if  you  will  but  live  your 
principles  of  religion  and  morality,  at  all  times  and 
in  all  places.  So  lovely  is  the  sight,  and  so  com- 
manding the  influence  of  virtue  over  the  hearts  of 
even  the  depraved,  that  they  will  insensibly  rever- 
ence and  conform  to  her  dictates  when  she  is  person- 
ified and  made  living  and  sensible  before  them  in 
your  v/ords  and  actions. 

All  men  would  rather  be  virtuous  than  vicious — 1 


DUTIES  OF  YOUTH.  411 

mean  in  the  abstract.  It  is  the  seductive  and  false 
doctrine  that  vice  yields  most  happiness,  that  makes 
men  vicious,  and  hahit  keeps  them  so.  Your  influ- 
ence may  break  these  habits ;  j^our  precepts,  com- 
bined with  practice,  may  dissipate  the  ungodly  de- 
lusion that  led  them  into  vice,  and  thus  will  society 
receive  ncAv  accessions  of  happiness,  and  your  own 
joys  be  proportionably  increased. 

But  pursue  a  contrary  course,  (and  a  contrary 
course  I  fear  you  ivill  pursue,  unless  you  have  well 
established  moral  and  religious  principles  on  which 
to  act,  and  by  which  to  be  guided,)  and,  ah,  how 
fatal  must  be  -the  inevitable  result  of  your  lives. — 
Unstable,  and  shaken  about  by  every  wind  of  doc- 
trine, yoiiT  peace  of  mind  and  hopes  of  happiness 
on  earth — your  expectation  of  immortal  IdIIss  in 
heaven,  and  your  enjoyment  of  God  and  his  Gos- 
pel, will  be  at  the  mercy  of  every  brazen-browed 
bigot  and  frenzied  fanatic,  until  your  reason  is  pros- 
trated, or  your  mind  enslaved  forever.  Your  mo- 
rality, based  on  worldly  expediencj^  w-ill  be  shaken 
by  every  temptation,  and  weakened  by  every  trial, 
until,cheated  by  the  delusive  expectations  of  worldly 
cunning,  the  whole  fabric  will  sink  down  on  its 
sandy  foundation  in  irretrievable  ruin,  before  the 
allurements  of  expected  gain,  or  fame,  or  pleasure! 
Then,  stripped  of  all  that  can  make  life  desirable 
and  character  respectable,  you  will  regret,  too  late, 
that  instead  of  the  specious  covering,  ^^ou  had  not 
the  substantial  body  of  pure  moral  and  religious 
principle  within. 

Oh,  then,  I  entreat  3'OU,  my  young  brother  and 
sister,  as  you  value  not  only  wealth,  lame,  and  ho- 
nor, but  as  you  value  what  is  worth  all  these,  and 
what  is  often  independent  of  all  these,  as  you  value 
a  good  conscience,  a  good  character,  and  a  good  life, 
lay  early,  and  lay  deeply  the  moral  and  religious 
principles  which  are  to  be  the  foundation  of  all  your 


4r:2  DUTIES  OF  YOUTH. 

actions.  Be  assured — always  assured — that  every 
deviation  from  righl,  is  a  deviation  from  hai)pine6S, 
and  as  you  would  be  lui])))y,  do  what  is  ri_c;ht. — 
Rest  assured  that  ever}-  deviation  from  rectitude, 
is  a  deviation  from  pure  religion,  and  as  you  would 
be  happy,  be  religious.  Let  the  perfections  of 
God,  the  example  of  Jesus,  the  doctrines  and  pre- 
cepts of  the  Gospel,  be  the  standard  of  your  lives, 
and  you  will — you  must  be  at  peace  within,  what- 
ever wars  may  rage  without. 

And  begin  now.  They  err  widely  from  duty  and 
happiness,  who  put  off  this  duty  to  a  late  period  in 
life.  As  well  might  the  mariner  put  oft'  procuring 
his  charts,  and  quadrant,  and  compass,  until  he 
had  made  several  voyages  across  the  broad  Atlan- 
tic, as  for  you  to  delay  determining  on  fixed  princi- 
ples of  action,  until  you  shall  have  mingled  much 
with  society.  No — long  before  you  embark  in  the 
voj^age  of  active  life,  procure  your  chart  and  com- 
pass— study  the  one,  and  learn  how  to  use  the  other 
while  you  yet  are  young  and  have  leisure — while 
you  yet  have  friends  who  are  interested  in  rectifying 
your  mistakes  and  directing  your  energies.  Then, 
and  then  only,  will  you  be  fully  prepared  to  enter, 
without  great  embarrassment  or  danger,  on  the  du- 
ties of  life  -which  God's  providence  may  allot  3'ou. 

II.  Under  the  second  head  of  general  duties, 
permit  me  to  press  on  your  attention —  The  import- 
ance of  cultivating  pleasing  and  useful  mental  and 
bodily  habits. 

This  subject  naturally  flows  from  the  preceding 
one.  Here,  as  there,  though  the  guardians  of  our 
infancy  may  have  done  much  for  us,  yet  more  re- 
mains to  be  performed  by  ourselves.  The}'  are 
fallible  with  all  their  superior  knowledge,  and  in 
many  things  you  raav  know  your  own  minds  and 
constitutions,  in  despite  of  j-^our  years,  with  a  surer 
ken  than  their  observation — even  that  of  experience. 


DUTIES  OF   VOUTH.  AV^ 

PuU  then,  their  precepts  into  practice,  supply  the 
deficiencies,  and  correct  the  errors  of  indulgence 
into  which  their  affection  for  you  may  have  betrayed 
them,  and  carry  forward  to  perfection  the  capability 
and  susceptibility  of  your  nature. 

Your  morality  based  on  {lio  golden  rule  of  doing 
to  others  as  you  would  ha^.e  them  do  to  you  under 
like  circumstances — of  doing  right  from  right  mo- 
tives, and  in  a  right  manner ;  and  your  religion 
consisting  of  love  to  God  supremely,  and  to  man 
universally,  you  will  naturally  and  easily  be  led  to 
cultivate  and  to  cherish,  by  constant  practice,  cor- 
rect habits  of  mind  and  of  body. 

AVhen  it  is  remembered  that  many  habits  of  the 
body,  and  through  it,  of  the  mind,  are  formed  even 
in  the  months  of  infanc}^  ere  the  faculties  of  thought 
perceptibly  develope  themselves  to  the  parent's  eye 
and  ear,  I  know  you  will  agree  v/ith  me  that  this 
work  can  not  be  commenced  too  early  in  life.  And 
when  you  look  around  you,  and  see  even  the  hoary- 
headecl  abandon  the  habits  of  half  a  century  by  a 
powerful  effort  of  the  mind,  you  will  agree  with 
nie  that  it  is  never  too  late  to  subdue  the  resentful 
passions  and  sinful  propensities  of  our  nature — to 
break  off  evil  habits  by  well-doing,  and  to  graft  on 
the  impulses  of  our  constitutions,  practices  which 
will  bring  forth  the  peaceful  fruits  of  utility. 

As  long  continuance  in  almost  any  course  of  life, 
renders  it  easy  and  even  desirable  to  us,  so  pru- 
dence admonishes  you  to  fix  on  those  habits  which 
will  be  most  useful  to  yourselves  and  others,  relying 
on  the  known  justice  of  God,  evinced  in  all  nature, 
that  they  will  also  become  the  most  pleasing. 
This  accommodation  of  the  mind  and  body  to  the 
circumstances  in  which  it  may  be  placed,  has 
raised  a  serious  query  in  the  works  of  a  distinguish- 
ed novelist,  against  the  strict  eternity  of  hell  tor- 
ments! Certain  it  is,  that  it  is  full  of  hope  to  the 
35* 


414 


UUTIKS  OF  VOUTH. 


reforming  sinner  and  returning  errorisf.  InsteaiK 
therefore,  of  murnniring  at  the  lahor  and  i)ain  if 
may  cost  you  to  erathcate  from  your  practice  all 
evil  habits,  reflect  that  better  habits  can  become 
just  as  firmly  rooted  as  they,  arid  that  when  you 
are  confirmed  in  pleasant  and  useful  practices, 
your  pleasure  and  ease  will  increase  with  their 
continuance.  Thus  will  your  very  discourage- 
ments become  incentives  to  perseverance,  and  as- 
surances of  abiding  triumph. 

Of  the  habits  to  be  formed,  I  would  gladly  s])eak, 
but  my  limits  forbid  particulars.  It  is  also  imne- 
cessary.  The  precepts  of  Jesus  and  his  apostles, 
will  abundantly  direct  you.  Your  own  reason  and 
sound  principles  will  teach  you  the  rest;  and  the 
universal  experience  and  concurrent  testimony  of 
the  wise  and  good  Avill  tell  you  that  all  erroneous 
practices  must,  in  their  very  nature,  produce  mis- 
ery and  anguish.  But  of  the  many  qualifications 
for  happiness,  I  would  briefly  name  one  or  two. 

1.  Cheerfulness.  Rest  assured  that  Mr.  Hume 
did  not  value  this  habit  (virtue  it  might  be  termed) 
too  highly,  when  he  declared  it  worth  c£400  per 
annum.  It  enters  into  all  the  employments  and 
amusements  of  life,  beguiling  the  first  of  its  cares, 
and  conferring  on  the  latter  all  its  joys.  Even  af- 
flictions are  converted,  by  its  resignation,  into 
healthful  medicines,  and  harbingers  of  future  bene- 
fits. To  establish  it,  cherish  just  conceptions  of 
God  and  his  works  ;  a  proper  valuation  of  human 
happiness  and  enjo^'ment;  correct  estimates  of  vir- 
tue and  its  rewards ;  a  true  consideration  of  the 
uses  and  ultimate  destruction  of  all  natural  and 
moral  evils ;  a  firm  trust  in  the  goodness  of  Provi- 
dence, and  an  unwavering  belief  in  the  final  holi- 
ness and  immortal  happiness  of  all  men.  This 
will    be  the  foundation   of  cheerfulness.     For  its 


bUflES  OF  YOUTH.  415 

superstructure,  let  your  lite  be  one  of  active  useful- 
ness and  virtue. 

•2.  Humility  tempered  with  dignity.  The  first 
will  preserve  you  from  pride,  with  its  attendant 
mortifications — the  latter  from  meanness,  and  its 
long  catalogue  of  vices.  Frequent  reflections  on 
the  perfections  and  attributes  of  God,  the  vastnees 
of  his  works,  and  the  inferiority  of  yourself,  will 
produce  the  former ;  while  a  constantly  cherished 
sense  of  your  relationship  to  Deity,  and  your  man- 
ifold obligations  to  him,  will  combine  it  with  a  pro- 
per dignity. 

3.  Courtesy  mingled  with  affection.  The  latter 
will  invariably  produce  the  former,  and  what  is 
best,  will  produce  it  naturally. 

If  you  would  enjoy  the  entrancing  delights  of 
heartfelt  sympathy  "to  their  fall  extent— if  you 
would  joy  with  those  who  rejoice,  and  mingle  your 
condolence  with  the  sorrowful — if  you  would  de- 
rive happiness  from  all  around  you,  and  inspire  all 
with  whom  you  associate,  with  the  feelings  that 
happify  and  purify  your  own  bosom,  let  your  mind 
distil  in  courtesy,  and  your  heart  flow  forth  in  good 
will  to  your  fellow-men.  Let  your  thoughts  and 
actions  be  well  imbued  with  rightly  directed  kind- 
ness and  benevolence.  To  cukivate  such  feelings, 
and  render  them  habitual,  accustom  yourself  to 
consider  all  men  as  they  are,  the  children  of  God— 
the  equal  recipients  of  Heaven's  bounties  and 
blessings,  and  the  common  inheritors  of  a  common, 
immortal,  and  blissful  salvation. 

I  might  proceed  in  my  details,  but  these,  with 
the  bodily  habits  of  cleanliness,  temperance,  and 
practices  of  healthful  activity,  are  sufficient  for  the 
present.  These  will  tend  to  produce  order  and  in- 
dustry— and  these  latter,  again,  are  the  handmaids 
of  health,  wealth,  and  happiness. 

Cuhivate  for  your  own  sakes — for  the  sake  of 


416  DUTIES  OF   YOUTH. 

those  intcresled  in  your  wcllhre,  and  boiiml  to  yon 
by  no  common  ties  ofaifecfion  and  Iricndsliij) — for 
the  sake  of  society  in  general,  and  the  world  at 
large — cultivate  the  principles,  and  virtues,  and 
habits  here  and  in  the  Gosi)el,  pointed  out  for  your 
adoption,  and  let  your  lives  be  a  living  commentary 
on  the  purity  of  the  one,  and  your  actions  a  practi- 
cal exemplitication  of  the  blessed  effects  of  the 
other. 

III.  In  connection  with  tlie  foregoing,  let  me 
direct  your  attention  io—the  inqjortance  of  acquiring 
useful  knowledge. 

I  will  not  dwell  on  the  utility,  advantages,  and 
pleasures  of  superior  knowlc^lge,  when  combined 
with  virtue.  They  are  so  apparent  in  others — so 
felt  in  ourselves,  by  their  possession  or  deficiency* 
that  it  were  unnecessary. 

You  are  intended  for  social  life — general  know- 
ledge is  necessary  to  enable  you  to  receive  and 
contribute  your  share  of  the  common  fund  of  use- 
fulness and  pleasure.  You  are  intended  for  active 
life — a  particular  knowledge  likely  to  be  needed  in 
the  department  to  which  you  may  be  called,  is 
certainly  necessary  to  enable  you  to  sustain  your- 
self in  it  with  profit  and  credit  to  yourself,  and 
usefulness  to  others.  You  are  intended  for  a 
life  of  hapj)iness — all  the  knowledge  that  can 
aid  in  rendering  you  innocently  agreeable  to 
others,  and  ha])py  in  yourself,  is  necessary  to 
enable  you  to  enjoy  it.  You  are  intended  for 
a  useful  life — then,  above  all,  if  3'ou  would  be 
social,  active,  happy,  and  useful,  cultivate  that 
knowledge  which  can  be  made  useful,  and  rely  on 
it  that  your  proper  use  of  it  will  render  it  always  a 
.source  of  pleasure.  Even  if  3'ou  are  intended  for  a 
life  of  leisure  and  ease — a  circumstance  Avhich  sel- 
dom happens  I0  any  one — do  you  expect  to  enjoy  . 
yourself  like  a  vegetable  or  an  oyster  ?     If  you  do. 


DUTIES  OF  YOUTH.  417 

rely  on  it  you  will  not  enjoy  their  happiness  and 
comfort.  Man  is  a  thinking  being.  He  is  intend- 
ed for  action,  both  mental  and  bodily,  and  can  not 
be  happ3^  without  it.  If  you  would  enjoy  a  life  of 
leisure  and  ease,  as  you  must  have  ample  provision 
for  your  physical  wants,  so  you  must  also  provide 
for  the  wants  of  the  mind,  or  comfort,  and  content- 
ment, and  happiness  can  nevpr — neverhe  yours. 

But  how  acquire  knowledge  1  The  world  is  a 
market ;  every  thing  may  be  bought  if  you  will 
but  pay  the  price.  Useful  knowledge  can  easily 
and  readily  be  obtained,  but  you  must  pay  the 
price  for  it.  That  price  is  study — continual  study, 
and  careful,  close  observatiom 

It  is  not  necessary  to  confine  yourself  incessantly 
to  a  desk,  or  to  read  whole  libraries  of  books  ;  that 
may  be  study,  or  it  jnay  be  mere  writing  and  read- 
ing ;  it  may  yield  you  knowledge,  or  it  may  fill 
your  mind  with  a  mere  mass  of  useless  rubbish 
commonly  called  learning.  It  is  the  thinking 
rather  than  the  reading  man,  who  gathers  true 
knowledge — it  is  the  active  rather  than  the  seden- 
tary man,  who  is  useful  to  society  and  happy  in  his 
life.  If  you  can  combine  the  two,  well — if  not,  be 
satisfied  with  the  thinking  and  active  life,  rather 
than  the  reading  and  sedentary. 

Men  are  books — read  them  in  every  pursuit  of 
business,  and  turn  to  moral  profit  all  you  learn 
from  them,  and  by  their  actions.  Nature  is  a 
book — an  ample,  exhaustless  volume — study  it 
carefully  at  all  times ;  at  your  daily  labor,  or  in 
your  hours  of  ease  and  amusement,  and  carefully 
compare  all  you  learn  with  its  unerring  instruc- 
tions. Every  event  of  life,  however  trifling,  teems 
with  useful  knowledge.  Carefully  observe,  and 
diligently  draw  forth  food  for  happy  and  useful  re- 
flection from  its  ample  stores. 

A  caution  here.     When  you  look  over  the  wide, 


418  DUTIES  OF  YOUTH. 

illimitable  ocean  of  knowledge,  and  review  the  very 
little  you  yet  have  mastered  of  it,  you  will  be  apt  to 
sit  down  listless,  faint,  and  discouraged  at  the  reflec- 
tion, that  there  is  so  much,  it  is  useless  to  learn  any. 
But  this  is  wrong.  It  will  not  do  to  be  discouraged 
on  this  account.  The  more  there  is  to  learn,  the 
more  active  you  should  be  in  acquiring  your  full 
share  of  it. 

It  is  with  knowledge  as  with  wealth.  What 
would  you  think  of  the  merchant  who,  on  review- 
ing the  stores  of  wealth  in  the  world,  and  seeing 
the  impossibility  of  obtaining  all,  should  sit  down 
discouraged,  and  cease  acquiring  any  7  Yet  he 
would  act  as  wisely  as  the  man  or  woman  who  is 
discouraged  in  amassing  knowledge,  because  they 
can  not  learn  every  thing. 

I  have  said  knowledge  was  like  wealth — it  is 
better.  If  I  give  you  of  my  substance,  I  am  so 
much  the  poorer  for  it ;  but  you  can  acquire  know- 
ledge, and  none  be  the  more  ignorant  for  3^our  ac- 
quisitions. To  the  benevolent  mind  in  pursuit  of 
knowledge,  this  is  a  pleasing  reflection. 

To  pursue  the  comparison.  You  will  absolutely 
need  but  a  small  portion  of  the  world's  w^ealth, 
compared  with  the  whole,  to  render  you  comforta- 
ble, useful,  and  happy,  provided  that  portion  be  of 
the  right  kind,  and  rightly  employed.  So,  but  a 
small  portion  of  true  and  proper  knowledge,  com- 
pared with  the  mighty  mass,  is  all  you  will  abso- 
lutely need  to  make  you  useful  and  happy,  provid- 
ed you  use  it  judiciously.  By  prudent  manage- 
ment, a  small  capital  of  each  can  be  made  as 
profitable  as  a  large  capital  ill  managed.  But 
some  you  must  have — a  sufficiency  you  slwuld 
have — and  a  surplus,  if  a  surplus  can  be  obtained, 
you  may  employ  to  your  ow^n  and  others'  benefit. 

Another  caution.  Never  think  j'ou  have  learned 
enough.     Newton  declared,  that  after  a  life  spent 


DUTIES  OF  lOUTlI.  419 

in  tlie  most  intense  study  and  important  discoveries, 
he  was  but  as  a  traveller  on  the  beach  of  the  bound- 
less ocean  of  knowledge,  and  all  his  acquisitions 
consisted  in  a  few  pebbles  which  he  had  picked  up. 
The  amiable  and  learned  Dr.  Rush  once  mildly 
rebuked  a  young  physician  who  was  talking  about 
the  period  when  he  hcid  finished  his  studies.  "  Fi- 
nislied  your  studies!"  said  Dr.  Rush — "why  I 
never  expect  to  finish  mine  while  I  live."  Let  his 
expectation,  his  example,  his  success  in  study,  be 
yours  also. 

This  caution  is  necessary,  as  many  are  so 
thoughtless  as  to  suppose  that  any  time  will  do  to 
commence  the  acquisition  of  knowledge,  and  so 
put  it  off  to  a  late  period.  Life  is  full  of  persons 
who  now  lament  this  infatuation  of  their  youth — 
their  idleness  and  procrastination.  The  memory, 
judgment,  and  all  the  powers  of  the  mind,  are 
most  susceptible  of  improvement  at  an  early  age, 
and  therefore  the  longer  delayed,  the  more  difficult 
will  be  the  task.  And  if  there  be  happiness  in  ac- 
quiring knowledge,  the  sooner  you  acquire  it  the 
better.  Then,  as  it  is  never  too  late  to  commence, 
so  remember  it  can  never  be  too  early.  Lay  hold 
on  wisdom  early.  Never  fear  acquiring  too  much, 
or  finishing  your  studies  too  soon.  As  well  might 
you  fear  exhausting  the  happiness  of  heaven  in  the 
first  periods  of  the  eternal  ages  !  Reflect,  also, 
that  the  present  march  of  intellect  is  so  rapid,  that 
if  you  suffer  your  talents  and  energies  to  stagnate, 
you  will  find  it  difficult  to  overtake  your  fellows. 
And  how  disagreeable  is  ignorance  in  the  youth 
who  could  have  learned — who  had  opportunities  of 
acquiring  knowledge — but  who  did  not  ?  Have 
you  not  felt  it  so  with  others?  Beware,  then,  lest 
others  find  it  so  with  you ! 

But  be  not  over-hasty  in  avoiding  this  dreaded  • 
degradation.     Too  much  haste  will  as  surely  de- 


4'^0  DUTIES  OF   YOUTH. 

Ibat  your  efForts,  as  loo  much  leisure.  Go  patiently 
and  calmly  to  the  work.  Pursue  it  hy  system  and 
with  order.  Diversity  your  employments  suffi- 
ciently to  make  them  agreeable — tor  disgust  is  the 
bane  of  study.  Contine  yourself  to  each  one  suffi- 
ciently to  make  it  beneficial — for,  in  every  busi- 
ness, "  the  rolling  stone  will  gather  no  moss." 

In  one  year — yea,  in  one  month — your  private 
hours  of  leisure  spent  in  this  manner,  will  astonish 
even  yourself  with  your  progress.  And  as  all  the 
powers  of  the  mind  increjise  with  culture,  every 
succeeding  year  will  yield  a  rapid  gain  on  the  pre- 
ceding one.  And,  remember,  learning,  alone,  is 
not  knowledge— reading,  alone,  is  not  study — it  re- 
quires reflection,  observation,  and  practical  appli- 
cation of  what  you  acquire,  to  make  your  acquisi- 
tions profitable  to  yourself,  and  their  profits  pro- 
ductive of  utility  and  happiness  to  others. 

IV.  Lastly,  but  not  least,  I  would  urge  on  you 
the  performance  of  all  the  duties  you  owe  to  parents^ 
and  those  who  stand  in  their  stead  toward  you. 

I  have  reserved  this  for  the  last  and  a  separate 
division,  to  which  its  importance  well  entitles  it — 
though  it  properly  belongs  to  a  previous  division  of 
the  discourse. 

The  instinctive  love  of  the  parents — that  highest 
assimilation  of  man  to  the  Deity — will  generally 
prevent  them  from  requiring  too  much  from  their 
children.  There  can  be  but  little  danger,  therefore, 
of  parental  oppression.  There  is  greater  danger 
that  they  will  require  too  little.  Youth  is,  hence, 
required  to  exceed  rather  than  come  short  of  parental 
requirements.  You  will  find  their  partiality  making 
allowances  too  great,  granting  indulgences  too  nu- 
merous, and  giving  you  licenses  too  extended.  How 
wickedly  ungrateful,  then,  in  you  to  require  greater 
allowances,  more  indulgence,  and  further  license ! 
to  refuse  the  wholesome   and  barely  necessary 


DUTIES    OF    YOUTH.  421 

obedience  which  is  required  from  you  by  their  love 
for  you  !  And  think  you  that  the  great  Parent  of  all 
will  permit  such  unholy  violations  of  his  best  repre- 
sentatives' laws  to  go  unpunished?  No — his  regard 
forthe  parental  character — his  love  for  the  future  ge- 
nerations of  men — his  regard  for  the  happiness  of 
even  the  disobedient  child,  will  sooner  or  later  draw 
down  the  direct  chastisements  of  his  purifying  laws ! 

We  are  generally  too  regardless  of  parental  ad- 
vice and  authority — too  unmindful  of  their  many 
cares  and  labors  in  our  behalf.  Indeed  we  never 
know,  and  scarcely  ever  pause  to  consider  our 
many  obligations  to  them,  imtil  we  take  their  place 
by  becoming  parents  in  our  turn.  What  but  a  pa- 
rent's feelings  could  enable  any  one  to  watch  over 
the  helpless  hours  of  infancy ;  to  guard  and  pre- 
serve us  in  our  youthful  wanderings;  to  bear  with 
our  fretful  impatience,  our  obtrusive  activit}^  our 
unthinking  carelessness,  and,  worst  of  all,  our  heed- 
less ingratitude  and  disregard  of  their  fervent  desires 
for  our  own  good  ! 

Oh,  how  like  God's  ov\?n  boundless  benevolence 
is  parental  love! — how  untiring — how  unfading! 
Yea,  how  it  even  increases  in  fervency  and 
strength,  the  more  we  abuse  it,  and  how  it  follows 
devotedly  all  our  giddy  wanderings  from  it  and  from 
peace!  Surely  if  God  had  permitted  man  to  bow 
down  in  adoration  to  any  being  inferior  to  himself, 
it  would  have  been  to  his  best  representative  on 
earth — a  good  parent,  watching  over  the  Avelfare, 
•and  providing  for  the  happiness  of  a  large  and 
wayward  family  of  children. 

Pay,  then,  unto  your  parents  that  reverence 
which  God  does  allow — that  obedience  which,  for 
your  own  good,  he  so  imperatively  enjoins  in  na- 
ture, reason,  and  revelation.  Let  your  parents' 
greater  experience  in  the  ways  of  men — their  bet- 
ter foresight  of  the  events  of  life — their  superior  ge- 


422  DUTIES    OF    YOUTH. 

neral  knowledge  of  your  real  wants  and  welfare, 
inspire  you  with  humility  and  resignation  to  their 
provisions  for,  and  cautions  to  you.  They  will, 
doubtless,  often  perceive  evils  v/hcre  you  imagine 
only  pleasure  and  good.  Consider,  also,  tlieir  ear- 
lier and  unboughc  affection  to  you — so  like  that  of 
our  Maker  in  kind — and  let  it  stir  up  all  your  fa- 
culties to  love  them  truly  in  return.  And  let  their 
many  unmerited,  and  even  unsolicited  favors  awa- 
ken in  you  gratitude  for  their  benefits,  and  obedi- 
ence to  the  requirements  of  tlieir  affecdonate  au- 
thority. 

But  suppose  they  err  in  their  requirem.ents. 
Well,  what  good  can  you  expect  by  going  counter 
to  their  fixed  and  fervent  desires  ?  Will  not  your 
disobedience  render  them  miserable  ?  and  must 
not  their  misery  revert  to  yourself?  for,  can  you 
enjoy  yourself  in  a  course  Avhich  fills  them  with 
torturing  fears  ?  I  speak  not  of  their  opposition  to 
duties  expressly  required  ofyou  by  your  consciences, 
but  of  social  and  domestic  matters — the  subjects 
naturally  within  the  province  of  parents.  Believe 
me,  you  will  never  regret  your  obedience  in  such 
cases,  with  half  the  poignancy  that  you  would  your 
disobedience.  Even  after  the  laws  of  the  land  free 
you  from  a  parent's  government,  seek  their  advice, 
and  fulfil,  so  far  as  you  can,  their  reasonable  de- 
sires, if  you  would  enjoy  happiness  and  respect. 

Even  allowing  that  your  obedience  to  them 
should  not  prove  beneficial,  you  will  have  the  con- 
solation of  knowing  that  you  performed  your  duty, 
and  that  you  have  gladdened  their  hearts,  to  con- 
sole you  under  your  disappointnaents.  And  long, 
and  often,  after  their  aged  forms  have  crumbled  into 
dust — when,  in  the  busy  scenes  of  life,  a  hush  of 
reflections'  calmness  comes  across  your  souls,  what 
a  consolation  will  be  yours,  to  know  that  no  duties 
violated — no  ingratitude  manifested  by  you  toward 


DUTIES   OF   YOUTH.  423 

them,  has  ever  made  them  know  how  sharper  tlian 
the  sting  of  a  serpent's  venomous  tooth  it  is,  to  have 
a  thankless  child! 

Oh,  /  would  not — you  would  not — no  one  would 
barter  the  joy  of  such  reflections  for  aught  a  differ- 
ent conduct  could  confer  !  For  what  can  rob  your 
conscience  of  the  remorseful  sting  that  retributive 
reflection,  on  an  opposite  course,  must  plant  within 
it  to  canker  and  corrode  all  your  future  peace  ! — 
And  then,  to  magnify  your  guilt  and  aggravate 
your  condemnation,  will  come  the  memory  of  the 
watchful  hours,  and  sleepless  nights  a  departed  mo- 
ther spent  at  your  bedside  of  sickness  and  of  pain. 
Again,  on  your  burning  brow,  lighted  up  from 
within  by  feverish  fires,  you  will  feel  her  cool  and 
balmy  hand  pressing  tenderly  the  tlirobbing  arte- 
ries into  stillness  and  peace  !  Or,  again,  and  again, 
will  imagination  paint  your  father's  furrowed  brow 
working  with  intensity  of  thought  in  plans  for  your 
welfare  and  happiness — or  his  bleaching  hairs  sa- 
turated with  the  moisture  of  industry  and  toil,  en- 
deavoring to  procure  the  sustenance  for  your  body, 
and  the  means  of  elevating  you  to  usefulness  and 
respectability.  These  may  not  be  the  scorpion 
whips  of  memory  now,  for  the  disobedient  child  ; 
but  Heaven  has  its  time  and  season  v^^hen  the  re- 
tributive storm  will  wake  the  sleeping  waves  of 
thought,  and  whelm  the  ungratetul  soul  in  all  the 
agony  of  remembrance.  In  maturer  age,  as  youth 
has  been  obedient  or  not,  will  oirnipOtent  and  om- 
ni-benevolent  justice  commend  your  ow^ii  well- 
filled  chalice  to  your  lips — and  as  you  merit,  its 
contents  will  cool  the  fevered  pulse  of  life,  with  re- 
freshing peace,  or  light  it  up  anew  with  the  trou- 
blous flames  of  agony  and  remorse  I 

And  will  you  choose  this  destruction  of  peace  and 
shipwreck  of  felicity,  merely  for  the  pleasure — the 
fancied  joys  which  disobedience  and  base  ingrati- 


424  DUTIES    OF    rOUTH. 

tiulc  promise  you  at  the  present  moment?  Wilt 
you  spurn  your  mother's  liopes  and  cares,  your 
lather's  expectations  and  labors — will  you  blight 
the  blossoming  fruition  of  all  their  toils  and  anxie- 
ties, by  disobedience  to  their  cojiimands,  and  disre- 
gard of  their  wishes ;  by  spurning  the  dictates  of 
conscience  and  reason,  and  violating  the  precepts 
of  God  and  man  ;  by  leading  lives  of  inactivity  and 
uselessness,  of  degradation  and  misery  ? 

Forbid  it  heaven!  As  you  value  the  com- 
mands of  God  and  the  welfare  of  society — as  you 
value  your  parents'  unwearied  aftections  and  un- 
]iumbered  cares — as  you  value  your  own  peace 
and  prosperity,  '*  forget  not  my  law,  but  let  thine 
heart  keep  my  commandments  ;  for  length  of  days, 
and  long  life,  and  peace  shall  they  add  unto  thee." 
"  And  besides  this,  giving  all  diligence,  add  to  your 
faith,  virtue ;  and  to  virtue,  knowledge  ;  and  to 
knowledge,  temperance ;  and  to  temperance,  pa- 
tience ;  and  to  patience,  godliness ;  and  to  godli- 
ness, brotherly  kindness ;  and  to  brotherly  kind- 
ness, charity.  For  if  these  things  be  in  you,  and 
abound,  they  make  you  that  ye  sliall  neither  be 
barren  nor  unfruitful  in  the  knowledge  of  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ." 

And  now,  my  dear  young  friends,  may  God  im- 
part to  you  wisdom  from  his  truth,  and  strength 
from  his  omnipotence,  so  to  perform  your  respec- 
tive individual,  domestic,  soaial  and  public  duties, 
that  your  days  may  be  many  and  happy — that  the 
setting  sun  of  your  earthly  existence  may  go  down 
in  a  clear  sky,  without  a  cloud  to  dim  its  bright- 
ness or  sully  "its  glory,  and  that  the  eminences  of 
your  past  lives  may  reflect  back  into  your  hearts 
the  consciousness  of  lives  well  spent  in  the  service 
of  God  and  man,  to  brighten  your  passage  through 
the  valley  of  the  sliadow  of  death  to  immortality 
r,ni]  endless  ])liss.     Amen. 


Theotoqtc.it  Semin.ify  Sppff 


1    1012  01004  0212 


